Time to get in shape - part 4

So to continue our conversation from yesterday . . .

The body stores "fat" within specialized fat cell . . . by enlarging these cell, which are already in the body . . .

And the body stores any extra calories that we don't burn off in these fat cells for a rainy day. Meaning . . . for when you miss a meal, overexert yourself or fast.

Now . . . research has found that the number of fat cells in the body is set during adolescence and remains constant through adulthood, regardless of whether you gain or lose weight.

These "fat" cells just enlarge or contract as our diet "fluctuates".

And this is why we have loose skin when we lose weight. The fat in these fats cells is depleted . . . but the fat cells have not regained their elasticity. So we find ourselves with saggy skin.

Now . . . this extra body fat, is an issue for more than a 1/3 of adults in the U.S. with 36.5% of adults being obese. And another 32.5% of adult Americans being overweight. That's about 78 million adults being obese and 35 million adults being overweight.

And as for our babies . . . obesity affects about 13.9% between the age of 2 - 5 years old, 18.4% among 6 - 11 years old and 20.6% among 12 - 19 years old. Leaving 12 million children obese today.

So we can clearly see . . . that today's Western diet is an issues for many of us!

The National Institute of Health claims that 98% of all dieters "FAIL" in their attempt to lose weight and regain optimal health.

And this all leading to prediabetes and diabetes. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention . . . more than 100 million adults in the U.S. are living with this disease today.

Okay . . . so we can definitely see, we as a society have a problem with eating too much and not the right types of food . . . and not being able to burn it off.

Now mind you . . . as I stated yesterday . . . I am not a "calories" counter . . . but we do need to know what the requirements of the body are for some guidelines.

With that being said . . . dietary "fats" are essential to give the body energy and to support cell growth. These fats also protect our organs and help keep the body warm. Fat helps the body absorb some nutrients and produces important hormones.

While carbohydrates and protein are also sources of energy in the diet . . . and the amount of energy each one provides varies . . .

Carbohydrates provide about 4 calories per gram

Protein provides 4 calories per gram

Fat provides 9 calories per gram

So why is it so important to "NOT" eliminate one of these elements from our diet???

Well . . . the body need "PROTEIN" to stay healthy and work the way it should. More than 10,000 types are found in everything from our organ to our muscles and tissues, bone, skin and hair.

You see . . . protein is also a critical part of the processes that fuel our energy and carries oxygen throughout the body via our blood.

Now . . . "healthy fats" provide energy, support cell growth, protect our organs and keep our body warm. And without these "essential fatty acids" . . . we can't absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K.

Not to mention . . . we can't help with the production of important hormones.

Okay . . . so what about "simple and/or complex carbohydrates"???

Well . . . "simple" carbohydrates are broken down quickly by the body to be used as quick energy.

And "complex" carbohydrates are packed with "nutrients". They are high in fiber, help digest food more slowly so you don't feel hungry. Therefore . . . they're more filling.

And they're ideal for people with type 2 diabetes because they help manage blood sugar spikes after meals.

So we can clearly see that eliminating "any" of these elements (including carbohydrates) would be detrimental to our health and weight loss process long-term.

Tomorrow we will continue.

As always, feel free to contact me here