Weight gain? Why timing is everything when it comes to weight gain

It sounds simple enough to understand:  Don’t eat before you go to bed.  But what about any other time you eat?  Does when you eat have anything to do with weight gain?  And if when I eat affects my weight, then why? 

Metabolism

The key that turns on our “engine” (i.e. metabolism) is a two part function; food and activity.  When we eat is just as important as what we eat.  For example, breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it starts the supply of energy to our body through food.  But if we eat a fattening, unhealthy, high cholesterol meal (i.e. eggs and bacon, buttered biscuits) then we’ve defeated the purpose of eating.  However, if we consume whole foods like wheat toast with a dab of “I can’t believe it’s not butter”, a piece of fruit, a bowl of oatmeal, then we’re off to a good start.  Our metabolism responds best to healthy, whole food.  Fried, fattening food causes our metabolism to become sluggish versus energized.

Activity

We could eat very healthy food all day long, which is good, but if we don’t stay active and moving then all the healthy eating we do is only going to be just that; healthy eating.  Weight gain occurs when our intake exceeds our outtake.  Simply put; we must keep active through exercise and movement.  For example, at the beginning of your day try going for a 30 minute walk, followed by a healthy breakfast.  Remember that each meal time should consist of about 350 calories with in-between snacks of healthy food (i.e. a piece of fruit, handful of almonds, or a cup of fresh veggies).  Activity should never be limited to a onetime during the day activity.  If you’re at work, take a quick walk up and down the stairs or simply get up and jog in place, stretch or just find some way to keep moving!  Instead of taking a 30 minute lunch break, take a 15 minute lunch followed by a 15 minute walk.

Consumption

Too many times people will eat whatever they want with the idea of “working it off” after they’ve over consumed and/or eaten unhealthy food.  A calorie isn’t a calorie; it’s fuel, meant to feed our body what it needs.   Over eating, high caloric foods and unhealthy food (even if it’s lower in calories) all add up to one thing; weight gain.  For example, if you eat a bowl of ice cream versus a bowl of fruit, even with the same amount of calories, guess which one will cause weight gain?  Ice cream.  Why?  Because our metabolism and body will respond and store what we consume, differently, based upon what we’re eating.  Our body is a filter to our storage and burn system (body fat versus muscle).   Our body craves energy efficient food versus non-energy productive food (i.e. sugary, fattening food).  Any diet that tells you to count food for calorie consumption only is a dangerous diet.  Programs that promote eating based on percentages and point systems are leading you to failure.  While they may work here and there, they don’t teach balanced nutrition.  If you want to be successful for a lifetime, commit to memory food consumption and intake.  Start by memorizing how many calories are in your favorite meals.  Ask how the food is prepared when you’re eating out (i.e. is it broiled in butter or olive oil, etc.).  Taking charge of your wellness won’t happen overnight but it will happen for a lifetime if you practice it with each meal.

 

Quick Tips for Wellness:  Activity balances consumption but what we consume produces our level of wellness, overall.

Quick Tips for Wellness by Pat Ferguson, Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved