Don’t shoot the messenger! I realize that living a life without carbohydrates in this day and age is difficult to do but I would be remiss if I did not tell you that the more you reduce carbohydrates, the more weight you will lose. And there are countless studies that prove what I am saying.
Understand that this weight loss diet does not call for the total elimination of carbohydrates. Instead, carbohydrates are significantly reduced for a 10-day period and then consumed in great portions on day #11, as you will see.
Glycogen Depletion
As you recall, glycogen is a secondary source of stored energy. It comes from the carbohydrates you eat that could not be used as immediate fuel. Once these stores are full, any carbohydrates that cannot be used for immediate energy will be stored in fat cells as body fat.
It is estimated that the human body can store close to one pound of glycogen. When glycogen is stored, it takes 3-5 times its weight in water with it. So, if you are storing 1 pound of glycogen in your body, you would actually be holding 3-5 pounds of water weight with it. Water weight is still weight and it does not leave the body unless you deplete the glycogen first.
Now, when you reduce carbohydrates in your diet, your body begins using the stored glycogen. Within 2-3 days, your glycogen stores are used up. And along with the glycogen stores, you will likely see a big drop in weight as your body eliminates the water that was stored with it.
As your body’s glycogen stores are depleted, your body will stop producing the enzymes that convert carbohydrates to fat. Instead, it will be waiting to replenish those glycogen stores with any carbohydrates it gets.
Now that glycogen has been depleted, you have created an enormous fat-burning sink. Without glycogen to give you energy, there is essentially a lot more space in your muscles for fat to be burned up.
Reduced Calories
Remember, your body needs a specific amount of calories each day. What you don’t give your body in food, it will get from stored fat. We need to follow our BMR number to create a calorie deficit. The strategy I have shared will ensure your body is running on a deficit. Any deficit in calories will signal catecholamine levels to rise as they are needed to mobilize fat to ensure that the body gets enough calories each day.
Understand that this weight loss diet does not call for the total elimination of carbohydrates. Instead, carbohydrates are significantly reduced for a 10-day period and then consumed in great portions on day #11, as you will see.
Glycogen Depletion
As you recall, glycogen is a secondary source of stored energy. It comes from the carbohydrates you eat that could not be used as immediate fuel. Once these stores are full, any carbohydrates that cannot be used for immediate energy will be stored in fat cells as body fat.
It is estimated that the human body can store close to one pound of glycogen. When glycogen is stored, it takes 3-5 times its weight in water with it. So, if you are storing 1 pound of glycogen in your body, you would actually be holding 3-5 pounds of water weight with it. Water weight is still weight and it does not leave the body unless you deplete the glycogen first.
Now, when you reduce carbohydrates in your diet, your body begins using the stored glycogen. Within 2-3 days, your glycogen stores are used up. And along with the glycogen stores, you will likely see a big drop in weight as your body eliminates the water that was stored with it.
As your body’s glycogen stores are depleted, your body will stop producing the enzymes that convert carbohydrates to fat. Instead, it will be waiting to replenish those glycogen stores with any carbohydrates it gets.
Now that glycogen has been depleted, you have created an enormous fat-burning sink. Without glycogen to give you energy, there is essentially a lot more space in your muscles for fat to be burned up.
Reduced Calories
Remember, your body needs a specific amount of calories each day. What you don’t give your body in food, it will get from stored fat. We need to follow our BMR number to create a calorie deficit. The strategy I have shared will ensure your body is running on a deficit. Any deficit in calories will signal catecholamine levels to rise as they are needed to mobilize fat to ensure that the body gets enough calories each day.