"FEED ME!"

Photo by Gabriel Ramirez Photography

We starve our body because we believe it will make us skinny. We move our body because we believe it will make us skinny. This, “make us skinny” BS is going to get us in big trouble. Big, big trouble! 

You see, our bodies need to be fed; WE need to be fed. Our bodies need to move; WE need to move. The WE part is your participation. So many things can be prevented my simply moving and fueling our body. Here are a few simple things about your body and its energy needs. These are basic but so helpful to understand or remember when we are considering eating or moving less or more for dietary need or seeking change in body composition.

There is something called your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). The BMR refers to the amount of energy your body needs to maintain homeostasis or balance. Your BMR is largely determined by your total lean mass, especially muscle mass, because lean mass requires a lot of energy to maintain. Now this next part may blow your mind a bit so hold on tight. The average american woman has a BMR of 1400. That means the needs of her body require 1,400 calories to function properly. From the brain to the bowels, in order to have a healthy and functioning system, proper calorie intake is necessary. 

Most people would think, the reason they aren’t losing weight is because they are eating too much. In some cases this is true. In most cases it’s just the opposite. When dieting some people are eating anywhere from 800-1,500 calories /day.  That is less than the needs of a child! So here’s my challenge to you. How much are you eating? Have you ever taken a count of your daily intake or simply written down the things you’ve eaten throughout the day? What is it telling you? Are you eating enough? Too much? If you are curious about your weight loss or weight gain, do it. See what and how much you are eating each day. Could be the key you’ve been looking for!

Much love,

Shantell