Is Gaining Weight Really a Lack of Will Power

MICHAEL ABDALLAH FITNESS TRAINER, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR

Copyrighted by Michael Abdallah

Since the beginning of our lives, we’re constantly told that weight is directly related to caloric consumption. The more calories you ingest, the more weight you’ll gain. Subsequently, the more calories you cut out of your diet, the more weight you’ll be able to lose. By this logic, anyone who is overweight, or anyone who experiences weight gain, is lacking in “will power” to do anything about it.

If we look at the First Law of Thermodynamics, the equalizer scale has calories consumed from food on one side, and calories burned during physical activity on the other. The total energy of the system is constant. It’s either calorie coming in or calories coming out.

But what if calories aren’t related to weight gain and loss whatsoever?

We’ve confused the proximate versus the ultimate causes of weight gain today. Proximate, meaning the closest to, is the consumption of calories. But what ultimately causes obesity is the ultimate cause. This ultimate cause is what is underlying this “rampant disease.” There’s a lot more that goes into weight gain than simply ingesting a heightened amount of calories.

The unspoken accusation today is that: it’s your fault.

If we look at a new model, one that reviews hormonal obesity as opposed to just plain obesity, the ultimate cause shifts. It goes from being your lack of will power to a hormonal imbalance. The ultimate cause is one hormone specifically: insulin. The treatment, therefore, is to lower insulin.

Two-Compartment Problem

Obesity is a two-compartment problem, not a singular, calories-in only problem. Our bodies have to choose if they want to burn the calories or store them as fat. It’s a crossroads conundrum. So, let’s say we assume weight is only related to calories. If you lower your caloric intake, you’re providing your body with less energy. With less energy, your body still has to make a two-compartment decision. As you reduce the amount of energy, you convince your body that it needs to hang onto the energy longer in the form of fat. Known as your basal metabolic rate, you will affect your body’s ability to efficiently burn calories for energy. Studies have shown a lower caloric intake reduces metabolic rates by 30% or more in each individual. This is not good. The lower your metabolism, the higher your levels of Ghrelin, which is the hormone that makes you hungry. By cutting back on calories, you’re essential: lowering your metabolism, increasing the excretion of insulin and ghrelin, and putting your body into survival mode.

Insulin

Insulin tells the body when to store fat. It’s the real culprit here. Studies have shown that individuals with higher excretions of insulin have major weight problems. What raises insulin the most? Refined carbohydrates like sugars and refined grains. What rises it the least? Natural fats like avocados, nuts, and so forth.

You can predict the effect of insulin if you focus on whole foods and complement a balanced approach to protein, carbohydrates, and the allimportant essential fatty acids. Only by understanding this will people be able to control their weight loss.

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“We do not get fat because we overeat. We overeat because we get fat.”

~Michael Abdallah

Michael Abdallah is the managing director of Body by Michael (BBM). He has been helping people become the best version of themselves for almost 20 years. With qualifications in Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Coaching, NLP, Educational Kinesiology and Postural Assessment and Rehabilitation, his thirst for knowledge is driven by his love of people and seeing the life-changing impact good health has on them and their loved ones. BBM is a platform of health and wellbeing programs and resources, including the VIP program, corporate program, and an app available on both Google Play and the App Store. Follow him on Facebook.