weight loss tips that work fast
We're not kidding. Starving your body by consuming too few calories will not only leave you feeling sluggish and tired, but will also send your body into starvation mode (here's exactly why cutting calories like crazy for weight loss is not a good idea).
"Inadequate intake of calories, especially protein, causes the body to breakdown muscle tissue to meet the needs for amino acids, " says Cederquist. "I have my patients focus on obtaining adequate lean protein and spreading it throughout the day." Her recommendation: focus on 100 grams per day, which breaks down into three to four ounces of protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a few ounces for snacks.
"It's important to get enough quality calories, not just calories, " says Cederquist. "If you're eating too little, you may find you can't lose weight, that you are losing your hair or your nails are brittle. You will also be tired and not have stamina."
If you're eating fewer than 1, 200 calories per day, your workouts will suffer and the constant stress on your body can lead to muscle loss and slow your metabolism, as we reported in 10 Things You Don't Know About Calories. If you're trying to eat super healthy, you might be surprised at how few calories you're actually eating—try tracking your daily intake with a food tracking app and make sure you're fueling your body, not depriving it of nutrients.
