Photo Credit: rizkapb

In most fitness circles, creating a calorie deficit, coupled with an adequate protein intake of 1-1.5g per pound of body weight, is the starting point when prescribing the proper approach to optimally shed body fat.

Many people have their own ideas and methods when creating the deficit; some choose to slash calories, others opt for more exercise, while some alternate low calorie periods and high calorie periods.  Regardless of the approach, it’s well documented in research that a calorie deficit is required to lose weight.  The law of thermodynamics does indeed apply to Homo sapiens as it does to all other species and other forces within nature.

As I’ve written meal plans for myself and for personal clients, I’m always intrigued as to how people with differing psychologies go about their fat loss efforts, how they create their deficits, and how they deal with the successes and failures stemming from their actions.

When it comes to losing body fat, for the most part, it’s fairly black and white.  Either one is creating the deficit or they’re not.  Either they lose weight or they don’t.  After making those statements, it’s only fair to mention there are some exceptions.  The exceptions are not to the law of thermodynamics, though.  The exceptions are to those who have conditions such as hypo or hyperthyroidism and the other various metabolic issues.  For these folks, a slightly different approach may be warranted.  However, when the proper medications are involved, an altered approach is rarely needed.

While movement, in some form, is crucial for most successful diets, there’s no way to exercise your way out of a bad or miscalculated diet.  It’s just not possible.  In lieu of the fact that a deficit is a deficit as I discuss in my free e-book, let’s look at a few reasons why people fail at dieting and how some literally eat their way out of a perceived deficit. [Read more...]