If you have asked any fit friend for tips on how to lose weight recently you might have heard them saying that you shouldn't eat any carbohydrates after 7 o'clock. Today we are going to delve into this theory and reveal the simple truths behind this commonly misunderstood gym myth.
Due to the fact that everybody has different opinions in the health industry, it is common to find people who are totally lost on how to achieve their personal goals. People tend to hear several contradicting pieces of information and usually find it impossible to fully commit themselves to a diet or workout routine because there is always somebody in their life telling them that they should be doing something else.
Ironically, the main principles of effective fat loss are almost exactly the same as they were twenty years ago.
The problem for many people is that there is so much hype out there from companies trying to get you to purchase their products and diet plans, they find it hard to discover the basic, proven facts.
If you have been trying various dieting techniques you will undoubtedly have encountered quick fix solutions which tell you to cut out carbohydrates and fast from your eating plan. These fads are usually found in celebrity gossip magazine and the birth of this statement about late night carb intake occurred in the same place. Can the human body really tell what time of day or night it is when you eat something?
Certainly not. While this statement does hold some slight truth to it, which we will reveal in a moment, the fact is it is based around a stereotype which most people simply do not fit.
Let's take a look at the actual research in this area.
Scientific studies have shown us that individuals who consume a large intake of carbohydrates while in a sedentary state tend to store more fat than individuals who ate their carbohydrates around periods of exercise or other physical activity.
So why does this myth exist?
The 'no carbs after 7 pm' fascination was first created by gossip magazines directing readers to the latest quick fix method to lose fat. Their core audience, of course, are secretaries and office workers. The majority of that audience doesn't exercise regularly, hence looking for a quick fix solution to their fitness problems. They also tend to work 9-5 jobs.
They use a generalization to appeal to the majority of their readers. The fact is, however, not everybody fits that stereotype. Your body does not care what time of day it is. If you work a 12 hour shift at your job you cannot be expected to go home and skip a meal because you missed your bus and didn't get in the house until after 9 o' clock...
There is nothing wrong with eating carbs after a certain time of day. There is no scientific research to suggest or prove otherwise. It is up to the individual to determine when their biggest period of inactivity occurs during a day and then structure their carb intake around that accordingly.
So how do you use this to your advantage?
Figure out which point of the day tends to be your busiest period and make sure you fit your biggest intake of carbohydrates around this period. Your body will be able to use the fuel, rather than simply storing it as fat. This can also be applied to those gym members trying to figure out how to build muscle, as it is one of the main factors in muscular hypertrophy.
Ultimately, your muscles cannot see the clock and don't recognize the theme tune to your favorite soap opera. They cannot tell what time of day it is and they do not care. If you are trying to figure out how to lose weight and were feeling a little confused about this myth, you now know the scientific facts behind it and why it doesn't apply to everybody.
Due to the fact that everybody has different opinions in the health industry, it is common to find people who are totally lost on how to achieve their personal goals. People tend to hear several contradicting pieces of information and usually find it impossible to fully commit themselves to a diet or workout routine because there is always somebody in their life telling them that they should be doing something else.
Ironically, the main principles of effective fat loss are almost exactly the same as they were twenty years ago.
The problem for many people is that there is so much hype out there from companies trying to get you to purchase their products and diet plans, they find it hard to discover the basic, proven facts.
If you have been trying various dieting techniques you will undoubtedly have encountered quick fix solutions which tell you to cut out carbohydrates and fast from your eating plan. These fads are usually found in celebrity gossip magazine and the birth of this statement about late night carb intake occurred in the same place. Can the human body really tell what time of day or night it is when you eat something?
Certainly not. While this statement does hold some slight truth to it, which we will reveal in a moment, the fact is it is based around a stereotype which most people simply do not fit.
Let's take a look at the actual research in this area.
Scientific studies have shown us that individuals who consume a large intake of carbohydrates while in a sedentary state tend to store more fat than individuals who ate their carbohydrates around periods of exercise or other physical activity.
So why does this myth exist?
The 'no carbs after 7 pm' fascination was first created by gossip magazines directing readers to the latest quick fix method to lose fat. Their core audience, of course, are secretaries and office workers. The majority of that audience doesn't exercise regularly, hence looking for a quick fix solution to their fitness problems. They also tend to work 9-5 jobs.
They use a generalization to appeal to the majority of their readers. The fact is, however, not everybody fits that stereotype. Your body does not care what time of day it is. If you work a 12 hour shift at your job you cannot be expected to go home and skip a meal because you missed your bus and didn't get in the house until after 9 o' clock...
There is nothing wrong with eating carbs after a certain time of day. There is no scientific research to suggest or prove otherwise. It is up to the individual to determine when their biggest period of inactivity occurs during a day and then structure their carb intake around that accordingly.
So how do you use this to your advantage?
Figure out which point of the day tends to be your busiest period and make sure you fit your biggest intake of carbohydrates around this period. Your body will be able to use the fuel, rather than simply storing it as fat. This can also be applied to those gym members trying to figure out how to build muscle, as it is one of the main factors in muscular hypertrophy.
Ultimately, your muscles cannot see the clock and don't recognize the theme tune to your favorite soap opera. They cannot tell what time of day it is and they do not care. If you are trying to figure out how to lose weight and were feeling a little confused about this myth, you now know the scientific facts behind it and why it doesn't apply to everybody.
About the Author:
Author: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's leading fitness instructor. If you need to learn how to build muscle or how to lose weight our free proven guides will help you get the most from your training.
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