Signs You're Not Eating Enough
By Genevieve Cunningham
When most of us think about calories, we imagine how many we’re going to have to cut in order to lose weight. It’s rare, unless you’re attempting to bulk up, to think about adding more calories to your diet. But there are times, especially in the dieting world, when people have restricted their calories too much. When this happens, your body is unable to perform or lose weight as you hoped. Instead, you may find some negative side effects and a complete lack of progress in your fitness goals. But how do you know if this has happened to you? And how do you fix it if it has? Take a look at these signs you’re not getting enough calories in your day, followed by who to talk to to get it under control.
Signs Your Calories Are Not Enough
Though there could be quite a few signs of low caloric intake, some of the more common symptoms include:
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You Feel Weak or Lightheaded - Feeling weak should not be something that happens all of the time. If you feel as if you’re going to pass out after simple activity, it might be a sign that you’ve cut your calories too far back.
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You Can’t Lose Weight - Yes, it’s tempting to cut calories so far back that weight loss seems inevitable. But even if you lose initially, cutting too many calories can lead to a plateau. If you’ve stalled out, you may not be taking in enough to get the metabolism moving.
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You Can’t Think - Being unable to concentrate on the task at hand is a big indicator that your body and mind are missing key components. While one or two instances of a lack of focus are OK, an ongoing inability to pay attention may signal a problem.
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You’re Losing Muscle - When we want to lose weight, we really mean that we want to burn off fat. If you’re burning off muscle, you’ve gone too far. This is a sure sign that your body isn’t getting the proper number of nutrients.
If you suspect that your calorie intake is too low, but you’re not sure how to adjust it correctly, visit with a dietitian or a personal trainer. Someone trained in diet and fitness can help you find the perfect number of calories to help you reach your goal. It’s important to get the right amount of food for your body or you could do long-term damage to your health. Get informed, be proactive, and you’ll be working toward the body of your dreams in no time.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.