Stop Counting Calories

Counting calories and adhering to a low calorie diet may be detrimental to your health. The personal training and nutritional consulting experts at Body By Choice know firsthand that, long term, this approach will cause weight gain, lower your immunity and decrease life expectancy. All calories are not equal because of the impact they have on our hormones.

Weight loss is not about how many calories you consume on a daily basis. Instead, it is how macronutrients produce different hormonal responses, which directly influence our metabolic rate and whether the body is in fat storing or burning mode. Also, the thermic effect of food varies greatly. For example, our bodies use more calories when digesting a meal of animal protein and green vegetables than it does with processed foods.

A low calorie diet will eventually cause weight gain because our bodies need something to burn for energy. When we deprive our bodies of nutrients, it will burn muscle and use it for energy. This will cause havoc on our health and overall well-being. Research has pointed out that muscle mass dictates our immunity, life expectancy and our resting metabolic rate. Most people under eat to lose weight, but the reality is you should never be hungry in any weight loss nutrition plan. Do not starve yourself!

When you eat carbohydrates you are constantly driving up insulin in the body, which may lead to insulin resistance. Chronically elevated insulin levels make the cells resistant to insulin, which drive up levels of the stress hormone cortisol — causing cellular aging. This combination produces fat gain and diabetes. Strive to eat proteins and smart fats such as coconut milk, nuts, ghee, olives, avocados and olive based oils. The protein will be used to restore tissue and build lean mass, while the fats will be used to strengthen cellular lipid layers to improve insulin sensitivity, restore brain health and build hormones such as testosterone.

For optimal body composition, keep in mind the following:

• A protein calorie is not the same as a carbohydrate calorie.
• The thermic effect of macronutrients varies just as the thermic effect of processed foods is much less than whole foods.
• Macronutrient ratios will determine hormone response.
• Save your carbohydrates for later in the day or post workout. Eat more low glycemic foods such as thin-skinned fruit.
•  The key to weight loss is controlling insulin and managing cortisol.

Spot reduction works because fat deposits are related to our hormonal makeup. The hormone receptor sites are located in different spots on your body. This is the primary principle of the Biosignature Modulation.

By eating whole foods — and avoiding processed foods — you will notice a big difference in the way you feel and are able to train. Take some time and make a personal plan for how you are going to get and stay healthy for life, not just the New Year.