Usually we are told to avoid getting hungry while dieting. Most people eat at the first sign of hunger pains. I'm going to explain why this is not always the best way to get fast weight loss results. Allowing yourself to occasionally get hungry will speed up your fat loss, and hunger pains are not always bad for you.
Getting Hungry is Good!
When we are really trying to drop those last 3 or 4 pounds (maybe you're getting ready for a great vacation?), we need some reminders that getting hungry is okay. Sometimes those last couple of pounds make all the difference in the world if you're hoping for nice sharp cut abs! But, it takes some will power and commitment to do this, and it's not always easy!
"Old" Ideas About Dieting Are Not All Bad
Back in the 70s, everyone thought that dieting meant only getting hungry, starving ourselves. Sometime during the 80s, we were being told to just keep eating small meals all day. You know, "eat six small meals a day." In theory, this is supposed to keep your metabolism running high. Good theory, but people don't really use it right. Sometimes the old ways (getting hungry) will yield much better results.
How Does the "Six Small Meals" Work For You?
I have to tell you, eating six small meals per day has just never worked for me. I just can't get lean by eating all the time. Although it's supposed to raise your metabolic rate, you always have "food energy" to burn. Any exercise that you do just burns that food. There's no way to burn the stored energy (a nice way of saying body fat). Your body just won't burn that extra fat if you are constantly feeding it food
Kids Are Always Hungry!
Kids can run around like crazy, playing all day, and never get hungry. That is, until they stopped moving, then look out! But, all of these active kids have good muscle tone, no spare tires, and plenty of energy, right? Keeping busy having fun seems to keep their metabolisms running just fine, without storing any extra fat.
"...But Don't Kids Have Higher Natural Metabolisms?"
This might be true, but, really kids probably just don't eat as often or as much as adults. And, less often when they are doing outdoor fun activities. Of course, children who just sit around and eat all the time do have weight problems. The video games, the Internet, these things keep kids nearer to food (often junk food). This happens to adults who sit at a desk all day, too.
"Getting Hungry" Will Get You Lean
If you really want to get nice and lean, then don't feed yourself at the first sign of hunger. This does not mean that you should starve yourself at all. But, letting yourself feel hungry is not all bad. When you are feeling hungry, your body will begin to burn some of it's stored energy (again, a nice way to say body fat). Doing cardio workouts when you are a little hungry will force your body to burn some of it's reserves, making you leaner. This is how you can lose a little more weight more quickly and see those visible results.
