As a society we used to love carbohydrates, then we decided to hate them. This back and forth relationship with carbohydrates has led to mass confusion. Have you been confused?
Even worse, if you manipulate your carbohydrate intake the wrong way while simultaneously increasing exercise intensity, the results could be disastrous. Especially if you are lifting weights.
So here are the essentials of carbohydrates for fat loss that you have to know:
1. Main functions: Perhaps the biggest function of carbohydrates is keeping your brain healthy. You see, your brain needs carbs for energy and for mood stabilization. And trust me here, a poor mood will make it virtually impossible to lose weight long term.
2. What happens when you go too low: The biggest concern here is the conversion of muscle amino acids to glucose sugar units. This is a surefire way to crash your metabolism. In addition, carbohydrates are the building blocks of glycogen-your muscles energy source during resistance training.
3. What happens when you have too much: Unfortunately, going overboard here makes your muscles, organ and brain reduce the size of their energy gateways. In other words, your tissues close up shop when there is too much sugar in your blood. But one shop remains open: your fat cells.
4. How to choose: Your best bet here is to look for carbohydrates that are high in fiber and low in sugar. Do this and you will way ahead of the game. And as always, stay away from processed or packaged sources here. One more things: beans and legumes take first place.
5. Most pervasive myths: The most damaging myth is that you can’t lose weight if you have carbohydrates in your diet. Not only is this false, but ironically, it decreases your rate of fat loss because you can’t exercise with intensity. And low intensity workouts just do not provide the necessary effect for profound fat loss.
Don’t get caught up with all the carb confusion. Your approach is simple: focus your carbohydrate intake on beans and legumes, and have the bulk of your carbs for breakfast and after exercise. And remember that taking action here is more important than anything else!
Writer Katherine Crawford, an exercise expert and former flabby arms sufferer, teaches women the best exercises for upper arms. Unearth how to get sexy and toned arms by exploring her blog about how to shake fat off right now!
