Summary of When You Know What to Do, But Just Don’t Follow Through by Metabolism and Hormone Support for Women:
This content discusses the problems with the “more is better” approach to improving body composition, health, and fitness. It explains that this approach is unsustainable long-term, can cause metabolic adaptation, and increase the risk of injury. It also provides advice for women over the age of 35 who want to better manage perimenopause symptoms and see changes in body composition. Finally, it encourages readers to join a closed Facebook group to further discuss the topic.
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The More Is Not Always Better Approach to Diet and Exercise
When it comes to diet and exercise, it can be easy to think that doing more is the best way to reach our goals. After all, if a little is good, then more must be better, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of the “more is better” approach to diet and exercise, and how it can actually work against us.
1. Doing More Isn’t Sustainable Long-Term
It’s important to recognize that while it can be tempting to double down on our workouts and cut our calories even more, this approach is not sustainable over the long term. Over-exercising and under-eating can drain our energy, productivity, and our social life, and can lead to burnout and exhaustion. Plus, we might end up neglecting important areas of our life, like family, work, and relationships.
2. Caloric Intake and Output Can Start to Work Against Us
When we over-exercise, one of two things typically happens: we either undereat or overeat. Undereating can lead to a loss of lean muscle mass and a decline in exercise performance and recovery. Overeating can lead to a plateau or even weight/body fat gain, making it difficult to make progress.
3. Metabolic Adaptation
Eating a very low calorie diet for extended periods of time can cause the metabolism to adapt. This can lead to a slowing of metabolic rate, and can cause us to unconsciously move and fidget less, leading to a decline in caloric output. Additionally, this type of diet can lead to hormonal imbalances, such as a reduction in active thyroid hormone, a decrease in sex hormone production, and an increase in adrenal stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
4. Increased Risk of Injury
Doing high intensity training on an almost daily basis, or never taking a rest day, can increase our risk of injury. Chronic muscle soreness, fatigue, and joint pains and aches can set in, and we may start to tune out our body’s signals and exacerbate our injuries even more.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to diet and exercise, it is important to remember that more is not always better. Doing too much can have negative consequences, such as burnout, metabolic adaptation, and an increased risk of injury. It’s important to find a balance between pushing ourselves and taking time to rest and recover. If you’re looking for help with reaching your goals, consider reaching out to a qualified coach who can help you create a sustainable plan.
