Carbs are water soluble. Human cells and fluids are mostly composed of water. Ergo, carbs dissolve easily within the cells and form large molecular structures that take up a lot of space. Storage is very limited in the tiny cell structures so large molecules create inefficiencies. The cells solve this problem by converting excess carb-water molecules into fatty acids which are then converted lipids for safe and efficient storage. Unlike carbs, lipids (also known as fat) do not dissolve well in water (try an experiment by dropping olive oil in water…the oil will form little, water- exclusive colonies). This interaction is much more compact and dense and takes up less space within the cell. Basically, all those excess carbs you consume will be converted to fat just to save a little space. Unfortunately, your body’s natural method of conserving energy by storing fat will actually make you fat.

The solution if you eat a lot of carbs: find a use for all those extra energy molecules floating around inside you

A low-carb/low-calorie diet combined with exercise is well documented to provide sustainable weight loss results. This is a controlled process that causes your body’s metabolism to switch from relying solely on available blood glucose from carbs to producing its own glucose by breaking down protein. Energy is needed by the body (in particular the liver) to break down the protein. The key energy source for this process is fat. Once you’ve reduced the carbs in your diet your body will switch to starvation mode by converting proteins to glucose using fat as energy. This is also why people who are starving or who actively starve themselves lose weight. However, the weight lost is both muscle (protein converted to glucose) and fat (energy for converting protein to fat). By consuming proteins instead of carbs your body is required, out of necessity, to convert those proteins to glucose. In turn, the body will consume fat stores to satisfy its energy requirements. A byproduct of this process is something called ketones. Ketones are also used by the body’s major organs as an energy source. This is true fuel efficiency.

The key to beginning this process is to drastically reduce your carbohydrate consumption and monitor your calories. Lowering your caloric intake will signal to your body a change and your body will adjust to the change based on what you are consuming. By drastically reducing carb consumption your body will enter into ketosis (process of producing these ketones by energizing your fat reserves). There are testing strips available at drugs stores that allow you to test the level of ketones you are producing (a urine test similar to a pregnancy test). This is good evidence for those of us who have a hard time believing that their efforts are having an affect on their bodies.

Here is a list of some healthy foods to consider eating while you are getting into shape.

1. Egg whites

2. Chicken (or Turkey)

3. Fish (especially Tuna and Salmon)

4. Tofu

5. Cooked spinach

6. Tomatoes

7. Lettuce

8. Olives

9. Avocados

10. Strawberries

11. Raspberries

12. Blueberries

13. Celery

This list is limited so any helpful ideas will be appreciated.