Lifestyle
Diet culture tells us to eat less and lose weight
Oftentimes you will see diet plans for less than 1,000 calories per day, but eating less is not always the answer.
It may actually be one of the reasons you are struggling to lose weight. Shocking, but true!
Odds are you have heard the saying, “Calories in, Calories out!” Well, this is an oversimplified explanation of how our metabolism actually works.
So, how do you know if you are eating enough? And why is eating too little keeping you from losing weight?
Sign number 1: You are constantly hungry
Our body is regulated by hormones and when we under-eat, our hormones and metabolism will shift in order to preserve our body! We will start to increase the hormone release that makes us feel hungry until we finally succumb to those cravings!
Sign number 2: You are moody
In January 2018 the word hangry was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary. It is defined as “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger”. So, you started to eat significantly less, your body is protesting by increasing the production of ghrelin (hunger hormone) and now you may or may not be starting unnecessary fights with friends and family or may feel a bit more irritable in general.
Sign number 3: Sleep and/or stress issues
Lack of sleep can lead to insulin resistance and/or weight gain and under-eating has been found to disrupt the quality of sleep. In addition, not eating enough or not sleeping enough can increase our stress levels. Increased stress will lead to excess cortisol in the body which can cause water retention masking any fat loss that is occurring and even increasing your hunger levels even further!
So how is under-eating holding you back from losing weight?
Well, initially the body will use fat stores for energy and that is how people begin to lose weight. But over time, the body will adjust to this chronic calorie deficit, or under-eating, and metabolism will slow - so the body isn’t burning energy as efficiently. Then weight loss eventually stops because the metabolism has slowed down.
Don’t get sucked into fad diets and stuck in the seemingly endless cycle of under-eating! Learn how to fuel your body for both performance and life and still reach your goals.
Setting yourself up for success by planning ahead is the best way to ensure you will stay on track with a busy schedule. Use these three strategies next time you are in a pinch and have to grab some fast food.
News
Killarney couples renew vows at St Mary’s Cathedral
Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a […]
News
Trainee chef wins two medals at Chef Ireland Competition
Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition. The […]
Killarney for Palestine film screening
Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School...
Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers...
Triathlon Club launches Tuesday lake swim series
Killarney Triathlon Club has launched a new Tuesday evening swim series on the lakes, welcoming swimmers of all abilities. The...
Dillon Quirke Foundation launches heart screening for youth cyclists
The Dillon Quirke Foundation launched its first cardiac screening initiative with athletes from Cycling Ireland in at St Oliver’s National...
Three businessmen receive Rotary Fellowship awards
Three prominent Killarney men, Paul Sherry, Mike Stack, and Finbarr Kennelly, have been honoured with Paul Harris Fellowship Awards by...
Injured Kerry quartet return for do-or-die showdown with Cavan
by Adam Moynihan All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final Kerry v Cavan Saturday 3.30pm Fitzgerald Stadium Key players Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Diarmuid O’Connor...
Kerry’s All-Ireland heroes launch new football camp for girls
Legendary Kerry ladies’ player Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh will be inspiring the next generation of superstars at the new Laochra football...
St Paul’s sign 6ft American guard Burnham
Having really found their feet in the Women’s Super League in the second half of the season, culminating in a...
Jack O’Connor’s Kerry squad is looking deeper and stronger (but the proof will be in the eating)
As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, Adam Moynihan takes a close look at Kerry’s strength in...
BREAKING: Two changes for Kerry as Jack O’Connor names team for league final
by Adam Moynihan National League Division 1 Final Kerry v Mayo Sunday 4pm Croke Park, Dublin Live on TG4 Kerry...
