Drop the Drag Wednesday: The One-Meal-Per-Day Metabolism Killer

Know anyone who is so busy during the day that he has no time to eat?  In fact, he consumes very little, other than coffee, during the day, runs on empty through training, and only really eats a late dinner?  To some, this sounds absolutely absurd.  But to many busy adult athletes it sounds all too familiar.  And even if it’s not quite this extreme, maybe the day-time intake of food is far too low for support the demands.  Maybe you’re someone who’s killing his or her metabolism and daily energy with The One-Meal-Per-Day Metabolism Killer. 

The scenario usually goes something like this.  A dismayed slightly overweight athlete contacts me because he’s unable to lose weight – he’s frustrated, ready to give up.  He says “I don’t know why I can’t lose weight…I really don’t eat very much.” You may not believe him, but I do.  Many times, he’s telling the truth.  He skips breakfast, is too busy for lunch, and, of course, he’s not a “snacker.” He comes home starving and tired.  He pops whatever easy and convenient food he can find into the microwave, over-eats his dinner meal and goes to bed. 

Really, he’s most definitely in a calorie deficit.  And, despite not being able to make the scale move, if this sounds like your life, you may be as well.  Even when just one meal is significantly, he likely only takes in 1000-1500 calories, and he likely burns at least 2000-3000 calories in a typical day.  So why can’t he lose weight?  It’s the one-meal-per-day-metabolism-killer, and there’s four reasons why it’s deadly to a metabolism and to daily energy:

1)      The one-meal-per-day-metabolism-killer deprives the body of calories when it can use them and over-feeds it when it won’t use them.  During the day, when you have high demands of your body, there’s no fuel.  It forces you to slow down and causes you to feel tired so that you won’t make such ridiculous demands without fuel (would you expect to drive your car for a whole day on fumes?).  The calories you do eat, then, are eaten right before bed.   They are first used to replenish your cells, provide nutrients for important bodily functions, and then they are stored.   In fact, the body will be slow to breakdown and use these fat stores when it’s active as it won’t trust you to give it new nutrients for replenishment.  Once it stores them, it holds onto them for dear life…

2)      Next, the one-meal-per-day-metabolism-killer diet usually includes a huge evening meal made up of unhealthy, refined, processed foods that are chosen out of convenience, and not for nutrition’s sake.  You’re overly hungry and overly tired.  At this point in the day, while running on fumes, few individuals are ready to make a nice, home cooked meal.  Instead, frozen meals, snack foods, and take out are the norm.  These foods have little to offer the body in terms of benefits, and lots to offer in terms of detriment.  In fact, the refined ingredients will cause fat storage.

3)      Third, the one-meal-per-day-metabolism-killer diet includes too much food at once.  Not only are the food choices poor and the body dragging, the amount of food at once will cause the body to store more fat as well.  This is a bad cycle.  More refined foods equals more fat storage equals poorer metabolism equals more fat storage.  In fact, this type of food sets you up for roller coaster blood sugars and metabolism, so you after feeling stuffed, you’ll feel “low” and just go to bed (even though you had every intention for a nice after-dinner walk or workout).

4)      And fourth, the one-meal-per-day-metabolism-killer cause you to wake up still full from the night before.  No appetite for breakfast?  Look no further than the previous evening meal.  Since you’re not hungry, you won’t likely start the day off right with a high-fiber, high protein breakfast, and you’ll repeat the tired, dragging-through-the-day cycle again and again.

Unfortunately, many athletes don’t look any further than calories for weight loss.  Even experts!  During my career, I’ve learned that a healthy eating pattern is just as important as healthy foods and portion control for fat loss.  And for energy, a healthy patterns plays an even bigger role.  You need fuel during the day when you’re active, before you start sputtering.  You need to “lighten-up” in the evening when you don’t need as much energy because you’re relaxing.  Mini-meals, throughout the day, rather than a one-time binge is your answer.  You’ll sleep better.  You’ll feel better.  You’ll unlock one of the best fat loss secrets for you.  And, best of all, you’ll give your body a fighting chance at feeling good while losing fat!

Give your body the fuel it needs everyday while avoiding junk that can drag it down. If you would like my help with this, I offer comprehensive plans as Instant Downloads and as Custom Clients starting at just $20.  My coaching clients receive new recipes, tips, and ongoing support.  And, as a FuelRightBlog reader, get a further discount with coupon code:  password-frblog  username-reader.  I’d love to work with you!

 Fuel Your Adventure.  Nourish Your Body.

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