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.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many gym users trying to shed a few unwanted pounds is the sheer level of confusion surrounding the gym. People are constantly being told contradicting information and, usually, this leads them to deem weight loss as 'too difficult' so they simply quit.
However, despite the big strides we have made in scientific research over the last two decades, the basic five principles of losing weight remain largely the same.
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?
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.
When you see the scientific studies performed in this particular area, things will become a whole lot easier to understand.
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?
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.
The masses who buy these magazines tend to fit their generalization of what an office worker does with their evening. However, most people are not like this. It would be ridiculous to work through a twelve hour day and then refuse to provide your body with some nutrients simply because of what time the clock said.
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.
How can you turn this new knowledge into an asset?
Simply structure your main intake of carbohydrates around your busiest period of the day. Whether that's a hectic few hours with your children, a gym workout or a busy period of housekeeping is up to you. Also, if you wanted to know how to build muscle and didn't know where to start, this is actually one of the main principles in building a leaner physique.
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.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many gym users trying to shed a few unwanted pounds is the sheer level of confusion surrounding the gym. People are constantly being told contradicting information and, usually, this leads them to deem weight loss as 'too difficult' so they simply quit.
However, despite the big strides we have made in scientific research over the last two decades, the basic five principles of losing weight remain largely the same.
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?
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.
When you see the scientific studies performed in this particular area, things will become a whole lot easier to understand.
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?
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.
The masses who buy these magazines tend to fit their generalization of what an office worker does with their evening. However, most people are not like this. It would be ridiculous to work through a twelve hour day and then refuse to provide your body with some nutrients simply because of what time the clock said.
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.
How can you turn this new knowledge into an asset?
Simply structure your main intake of carbohydrates around your busiest period of the day. Whether that's a hectic few hours with your children, a gym workout or a busy period of housekeeping is up to you. Also, if you wanted to know how to build muscle and didn't know where to start, this is actually one of the main principles in building a leaner physique.
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 the author: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's premier personal trainer. If you need to learn how to build muscle or how to lose weight our easy video guides will help you achieve more from your training.
