EXERCISE and LOW CARB DIET'S
Make Poor Partners
FAT LOSS COACH Speaks Out
By Charles Remington
Over the last twenty five years the most common questioned
asked me by frustrated exercisers, has been what exercise
routine will get me the body I desire? My answer is
always the same. They need to start exercising better
judgement and learn that exercise alone will not solve
their body composition problem.
I believe the number
one reason for starting an exercise program is weight
reduction, even before fitness and health concerns.
Exercise by itself is a poor weight manager and it
increases the need for better nutritional requirements.
I believe I would receive very little disagreement
that a combination of nutrition and exercise is the
answer to improvement in weight loss ( fat loss ),
fitness and health risk concerns. With obesity reaching
epidemic rates and the drop out rate of most health
clubs' remaining high this article intent is to lay
the foundation why exercise and low carbohydrate diet's
are poor partners.
Over the last three decades I have seen extreme
changes in the macro nutrients ( proteins, carbohydrates
and fats ) combinations in our quests for the ideal
body. Everything from high carbohydrate, low fat,
high protein, to the current low carbohydrate craze
has bombarded us, though the failure rates in managing
our weight continue to rise. The problem lies in our
bodies ability to adapt to change, especially extreme
change. If your goal is to lose fat you must provide
your muscle enough quality fuel without being over
fueled. This is especially true if your goal to lose
fat includes exercise. The secret is not found in
elimination of macro nutrients, but in management
of them. Understanding how to fuel your muscles prior
to exercise sessions and replacing fuel after workouts
is critical or your body will break down muscle for
fuel.
Understanding how our muscles use the calories we
eat as fuel for muscle contraction is the first step
in knowing what to do and not to do. A basic nutritional
knowledge tells us that proteins repair and rebuild
cells, carbohydrates energize cells and fats provide
hormonal foundation for cells. When we lack balance
in protein, carbohydrates and fats are bodies adjust
and can use all three as a source of fuel for muscle
contraction and cellular energy. Though energy is
needed for all cellular function, the focus of this
article is muscle contraction and body composition. |