Summary of Your Progress Would Be Faster If You Did This by Metabolism and Hormone Support for Women:
The “more is better” approach to diet and exercise can cause burnout, stalls in progress, undereating or overeating, metabolic adaptation, hormonal imbalances, and an increased risk of injury. It can also drain energy, productivity, and affect other important areas of life. Coaching programs by the author may be suitable for women over 35 with hormone imbalances or perimenopausal symptoms.
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Why the “More is Better” Approach to Diet and Exercise Can Backfire
In the world of diet and exercise, it’s easy to believe that doing more will lead to better results. However, this approach can easily backfire, leading to burnout, exhaustion, and frustrating stalls in progress. Here are four reasons why the “more is better” approach can actually do more harm than good.
Problem #1: Doing More Isn’t Sustainable Long-Term
When we become obsessed with exercise and diet, it’s easy to neglect other important areas of our life, such as our relationships, work, and productivity. Over time, this approach can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and even more stress.
Solution: Instead of focusing solely on exercise and diet, identify ways to integrate movement and healthy eating into your daily life. This can include taking walking breaks during the workday, prepping healthy meals for the week, and finding fun activities that you enjoy doing with friends or family.
Problem #2: Your Caloric Intake and Output Can Start to Work Against You
Over-exercising can cause us to undereat or overeat, leading to a decline in exercise performance and recovery. When we undereat, we can lose lean muscle mass, which can be detrimental to our body composition goals. Conversely, overeating can cause us to hit a plateau in our weight loss journey.
Solution: Instead of focusing solely on calories in, calories out, pay attention to nutrient-dense whole foods that make you feel good and energized. This can help you stay within a healthy calorie range without obsessing over the numbers.
Problem #3: Metabolic Adaptation
When we eat a very low calorie diet for a long period of time, our metabolism can adapt, leading to a decrease in metabolic rate. Additionally, our body may unconsciously move and fidget less, which can decrease caloric output and lead to weight gain.
Solution: Instead of drastically reducing your calorie intake, focus on nourishing your body with nutrient-dense whole foods that support your metabolism and overall health.
Problem #4: Increased Risk of Injury
Overdoing it at the gym can make us more susceptible to injuries and chronic muscle soreness, fatigue, and joint pain. This can be a huge issue, as it can exacerbate injuries even more.
Solution: Give yourself adequate rest days and focus on a well-rounded fitness routine that incorporates strength training, cardio, and mobility work.
If you’re looking to better manage perimenopausal symptoms, weight loss resistance, or changes in body composition, consider a coaching program that can provide tailored support and guidance. Contact me at cfitnessonlinetraining@gmail.com to set up a free discovery session and join my closed Facebook group, Metabolism and Hormone Support for Women. Let’s work together to create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that works for you.
