Calories are simply units of measure. They aren't actually
things in and of themselves; they are labels for other
things, just like how an inch really isn't anything, but it
measures the distance between two points.
So what do calories measure?
Easy: they measure energy.
Yes, the evil calorie - the bane of the dieter's existence
- is really just a 3-syllable label for energy.
And it's important to highlight this, because the body
itself, despite its vast intelligence (much of which
medical science cannot yet understand, only appreciate in
awe) does not really do a very intelligent job of
distinguishing good energy from bad.
Actually, to be blunt, the body doesn't care about where
the energy comes from. Let's explore this a little more,
because it's very important to the overall understanding of
how to boost your metabolism, particularly when we look at
food choices.
In our choice-laden grocery stores, with dozens of
varieties of foods - hundreds, perhaps - there seems to be
a fairly clear awareness of what's good food, and what's
bad or junk food.
For example, we don't need a book to remind us that, all
else being equal, a plum is a good food, whereas a tub of
thick and creamy double-fudge ice cream is a bad food.
Not bad tasting, of course; but, really, you won't find
many fit people eating a vat of ice cream a day, for
obvious reasons. So what does this have to do with
calories and energy?
It's this: while you and I can evaluate our food choices
and say that something (like a plum) is a healthy source of
energy, and something else (like a tub of ice cream) is an
unhealthy source of energy, the body doesn't evaluate.
Really.
It sounds strange and amazing, but the body really doesn't
care. To the body, energy is energy. It takes whatever it
gets, and doesn't really know that some foods are healthier
than others. It's kind of like a garbage disposal: it
takes what you put down it, whether it should go down or
not.
So let's apply this to the body, and to weight gain. When
the body receives a calorie - which, as we know, is merely
a label for energy - it must do something with that energy.
In other words, putting all other nutrients and minerals
aside, if a plum delivers 100 calories to the body, it has
to accept those 100 calories. The same goes for 500
calories from a (small) tub of ice cream: those 500
calories have to be dealt with.
Now, the body does two things to that energy: it either
metabolizes it via anabolism, or it metabolizes it via
catabolism. That is, it will either convert the energy
(calories) into cells/tissue, or it will use that energy
(calories) to break down cells.
Now the link between calories/energy, metabolism, and
weight loss becomes rather clear and direct.
When there is an excess of energy, and the body can't use
this energy to deal with any needs at the time, it will be
forced to create cells with that extra energy. It has to.
It doesn't necessarily want to, but after figuring out that
the energy can't be used to do anything (such as help you
exercise or digest some food), it has to turn it into cells
through anabolism.
And those extra cells? Yes, you guessed it: added weight!
----------------------------------------------------
Are you looking to get in top physical shape without the
hype and lies? Keith Crovatt has assembled leading experts,
tips, tricks and techniques to guide you. "One Body, One
Mind, One Day-At-A-Time"™ Sign-up for the FREE
ProvenFitness.com newsletter and get the mini-course "Why
You Should Say No To Quick Weight Loss!"
Click here=> http://www.ProvenFitness.com
No comments:
Post a Comment