Astonishingly, almost 80% of New Year weight loss resolutions fail in February. Let’s beat that this year! Losing body fat requires using fat, not sugar, for energy. Overcoming awakening and chronically high glucose levels is essential. Here are fat loss factors that often get overlooked:
- Sleep, Stress, and Glucose. Lack of sleep and stress all raise cortisol which increases glucose levels along with carbohydrates and excess protein. This deactivates using fat for energy and the ability to lose weight.
- Exercise activates AMPK that turns on using fat for energy and improves glucose/insulin function.
- Meals that are best at getting the body to use fat for energy means consuming moderate amounts of lean protein and fatty fish, Omega-3 and 9 fats from avocados and almonds, and focusing more on large amounts of green salads, cooked veggies, and berries that are lower in carbohydrates.
- The Gut Microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms and their genetic material that live in your intestinal tract. It is also a major regulator of the immune system, hunger hormone signaling, and even has direct and indirect pathways between cognitive and emotional centers in the brain.
The important thing to remember with weight loss is that the ultimate goal is staying healthy! Remember, the human body is unique and each one is created to look different, making an “ideal figure” unrealistic, and can lead to unhealthy behaviors or feelings of failure. For the year 2021, the Sundrops Nutrition Team wishes everyone a strong immune system, sound mind, and a well-functioning body.
