By Russ Howe
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.
Let's face it, there is an overwhelming amount of contradicting information in the fitness industry. Everywhere you turn there are people trying to out-yell each other with their latest tips. More often than not, this leads many regular people to be scared of trying to build a better body.
Ironically, the main principles of effective fat loss are almost exactly the same as they were twenty years ago.
This is largely due to the fact that there is a lot of money to be made in the fitness industry. Therefore you will have countless companies telling you to buy their latest product and over complicating the relatively simple lifestyle change required to drop some unwanted pounds.
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?
No, it can not. This belief is just a general term which has now lost it's meaning completely. It's a very loose stereotype and many people falsely believe it to be true.
So, what are the facts behind this statement?
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.
But what does the science actually mean for you?
Usually this is the type of headline you would see written on a celebrity gossip magazine, promising quick results for minimal effort. The reason they use such a general term is because their publication is mainly aimed at individuals who work 9-5 jobs and don't exercise regularly.
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...
No two people's lifestyles are exactly the same, so it is ridiculous to give everybody some kind of deadline for their last meal of the day. It depends entirely on your lifestyle and your daily timetable. Simply aim to consume your main carbohydrate intake around periods where you are remaining quite active.
What is the solution to guarantee maximum results?
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.
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.Let's face it, there is an overwhelming amount of contradicting information in the fitness industry. Everywhere you turn there are people trying to out-yell each other with their latest tips. More often than not, this leads many regular people to be scared of trying to build a better body.
Ironically, the main principles of effective fat loss are almost exactly the same as they were twenty years ago.
This is largely due to the fact that there is a lot of money to be made in the fitness industry. Therefore you will have countless companies telling you to buy their latest product and over complicating the relatively simple lifestyle change required to drop some unwanted pounds.
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?
No, it can not. This belief is just a general term which has now lost it's meaning completely. It's a very loose stereotype and many people falsely believe it to be true.
So, what are the facts behind this statement?
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.
But what does the science actually mean for you?
Usually this is the type of headline you would see written on a celebrity gossip magazine, promising quick results for minimal effort. The reason they use such a general term is because their publication is mainly aimed at individuals who work 9-5 jobs and don't exercise regularly.
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...
No two people's lifestyles are exactly the same, so it is ridiculous to give everybody some kind of deadline for their last meal of the day. It depends entirely on your lifestyle and your daily timetable. Simply aim to consume your main carbohydrate intake around periods where you are remaining quite active.
What is the solution to guarantee maximum results?
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:
About today's writer: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's most subscribed fitness instructor. If you need to learn how to build muscle or how to lose weight our free proven guides will help you achieve more in the gym.
