4 Things the Diet Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know
One of the most common concerns new clients come to me with is, “I’m not quite sure what I should be doing.” And it’s no wonder, with such an overwhelming amount of options and experts telling you all sorts of different things. Well, with the exception of the following 4 things that they definitely don’t want you to know… because once you learn and understand them, you’ll likely stop giving them your money.
You can’t necessarily tone up while on a diet
Many diet and exercise plans boast that they can help you lose fat and gain muscle simultaneously. Unfortunately, that is almost scientifically impossible – emphasis on almost. Here are two ways that could be possible:
You’re a beginner. If you are new to working out, your muscles are essentially a blank slate with lots of potential. As you begin to move more (and eat in a caloric deficit), you will likely shed fat. Meanwhile, your newly engaging muscles will likely respond with some growth. This will happen right at the start of your fitness journey before it tapers off after some time passes.
You already have significant muscle built that isn’t visible because of body fat. As you begin to move more (and eat in a caloric deficit), your body will gradually shed its fat and expose its muscle tone underneath.
Unfortunately, once you exit the beginner phase and enter a more intermediate level (let’s say after 3-6 months), your body will no longer be able to both shed fat and gain muscle simultaneously. The reason for this is simple science: in order to shed fat, you have to eat less calories than your body requires, and in order to gain muscle, you have to eat more calories than your body requires. Obviously, you can’t eat less and eat more at the same time. So, if your goal is to have more muscle tone, your best bet is to adhere to a phase where you are eating less than your body needs for a period of time so you can shed fat, and then adhere to a phase where you are eating a bit more than your body needs for a period of time so you can gain muscle.
The diet industry may offer programs that try to tell you that you can accomplish both at the same time for a hefty price tag. Now, you can be an informed consumer and know that they’re trying to sell you a magic pill that probably won’t work.
Your body needs diet breaks
When you begin to eat less calories than your body needs, your body responds by slowing down your metabolism. This is a survival technique that is intended to save you from dying of starvation – say, while you try to survive a long winter in your cave in the middle of the wilderness. When your metabolism slows, your body burns less energy. This means that your body holds onto your fat stores a little bit tighter. The more fat you’re able to hold on to, the longer you’ll be able to survive through that hypothetical winter (this same effect happens to someone who leads a sedentary lifestyle as well). Yes, it’d be so nice if your body knew that you’re not actually starving – you live in a house with heat and lights and everything – you’re just trying to look good for the upcoming family wedding. But unfortunately, that’s not the case.
To prevent your body from constantly living in a state of metabolic inefficiency, diet breaks are recommended. For how long? Well, I would need a lot more information to help you there. But just know that always being on a diet might just be the reason you feel like you’re not making any progress. Of course, the diet industry doesn’t want you to know that. The more breaks you take, the more money they lose.
Plateaus are normal
Because of all of the information I just explained, it’s important to know that plateaus – whether you’re using measurements or the scale or both – are completely normal. As you continue to eat less calories than your body needs and your metabolism continues to slow, you will eventually reach a point where you can no longer shed fat.
Sadly, the diet industry will take what makes biological sense and make you panic. They will tell you that you are plateauing because you’ve fallen off the wagon. You must not be working hard enough. You must strive to work harder. Move more. Eat less. Anything to get you to give them more of your hard earned cash. But luckily, you now know that it’s important to take a break. Maybe now you can spend a few months gaining some muscle that you can show off after your next fat loss phase.
The diet industry profits off of your misunderstanding of the previous 3 things
This is the most important item on this list. Basically, the diet industry survives by making you believe that you are the problem and they are the solution. In reality, they are the problem, and you don’t need any of their fear mongering, time and money wasting solutions.
“You can’t burn fat and gain muscle – even though it’s physically impossible to do so? Wow, you’re not working out hard enough. Buy our program and see the results you’ve always wanted in just 6 weeks!”
“Is your metabolism slowing down because we are giving you such small amounts of food and your body is doing all it can to keep you alive? Well here’s a before and after picture of Janet who has been doing this for years. Why can’t you be like Janet? Here, try one month free before we go back to charging you triple the cost of what groceries cost you on your own.
“You’ve hit a plateau?! You mean your metabolism has adapted just like it’s supposed to?! What’s wrong with you! See, you can’t do this without us. You need to come back and keep giving us more of your money. We’ll get you past that plateau in no time.”
Of course, this is an extreme what is offered out there. I cannot speak for every brand and professional. I know there are some good, honest people out there trying to help you – *raises my own hand*. But I also know that the diet industry didn’t become a 90 billion dollar industry because their programs and products work. Instead of leaving you feeling knowledgeable, confident, and capable enough to move on without their help, they leave you feeling fearful, doubtful, and insecure enough to keep coming back with your credit card out.
If you want to learn sustainable healthy habits backed by science and that will last you a lifetime, click here to schedule your complimentary, no-strings-attached consultation. I don’t have any magic pills for you, but the knowledge, confidence, and progress you will gain from your work with me might feel a bit magical!
