Why Just Cutting Calories Won’t Help You Lose Weight

When it comes to weight loss there are many factors that influence how successful you are at losing weight. If you're looking to shed a pound or two and thinking to just cut back on calories, you would be disappointed to realize that its not that easy.

Michelle Adams-Arent, a sports nutrition consultant and the Director of Science and Education for Metabolic Precision claims that "reducing your food intake might not work like you originally thought."

“Your body is built for survival,” Adams-Arent told Business Insider. “It doesn’t care what you want to look like.”

Related: 4 Ways to Manipulate Your Hormones To Help You Lose Weight

Have you heard of the starvation response, or commonly referred to as starvation mode?

As soon as you started cutting back on your calorie intake where you're not getting enough calories recommended daily, your body transitions into a full-on starvation mode. Now doesn't that sound frightening?

Here's what happens:

Your metabolic rate actually decreases as your body tries to preserve what little nutrition it has. And a lower metabolism means fewer calories burned. What’s more, research even shows burning more calories than you consume over a long period of time can increase your body fat. Not exactly the outcome you were hoping for. So if you were deciding how to lose weight fast and thinking to just cut back on calories, it may be a good idea to rethink your plans to losing weight fast.

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Interesting Read: It May Be Harder For Shorter People To Lose Weight

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You should also keep these weight loss tips to keep in mind by your side.

A lower metabolism means fewer calories burned. What’s more, research even shows burning more calories than you consume over a long period of time can increase your body fat. Not exactly the outcome you were hoping for. (You’re probably better off with these 42 fast and easy tips to lose weight, instead.)

Read: 4 Reasons Quinoa Is Essential For Weight Loss

As for the best way to burn body fat? Decrease your caloric consumption by only a small amount, which avoids a panicky response from your body, Adams-Arent says. She recommends consuming small meals throughout the day, making sure to include a serving of protein in every one. And make breakfast your largest meal; doing so will help you burn more calories for the rest of the day.

Kicking up your exercise a notch will diminish your body fat, too. Plus, sleep—both its quality and quantity—affects how many calories you burn in a 24 hour period, Adams-Arent said. Here’s 9 ways you can literally lose weight in your sleep. 

Read: 7 Eating Tips To Help You Lose Weight and Keep It Off