If there is an ambiguous or vague term in our culture, it’s “health.” What does it mean to “be healthy” and how do we go about doing it? Health is when body, spirit and mind are being utilized and treated the way they ought to be, and functioning as intended. There is a causal relation between the two. If you’d like to know if I am qualified to talk about this, here are my credentials: Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA) with a B.S. in Sports and Fitness from the University of Central Florida.

My concern is the body, with a focus on nutrition. There are axioms which dictate proper thinking in regards to nutrition. First, our bodies need specific things to function. Second, our bodies need the correct amounts of these things. Third, our bodies need these things at the proper times. All three are equally important. Thus, eating the right things at the wrong times, or in the wrong amounts does a disservice to your body. All three must be understood and achieved for health. The cry is usually about “eating right,” but one without two (or three) won’t cut it. Just as a car needs specific quantities of liquids at certain times, so do our bodies. A car can function on bad oil for a time, but damage will eventually be done. You can’t just put anything into a car and expect it to function as normal; the body is no different. Over time, there’s always a cost. The following are some important details that you need to think about.

We need six basic things: vitamins, minerals, water, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The gram-calorie ratio goes as follows: carbohydrates 1:4, fats 1:9, and protein 1:4. That is, for every gram of fat you eat, you consume 9 calories (a calorie is a measurement of energy, like a meter is a measurement of distance). Now, fats are very good. But like anything, balance is crucial. Too much or too little of fats (or vitamins, minerals, etc) is bad. For instance, cutting out fat and increasing carbohydrate intake will amplify your insulin and blood-glucose levels, which will significantly reduce your body’s ability to burn fat.

You need to find your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the least amount of calories your body needs to sustain its metabolism. Why? The average working muscles burns up to 50 calories per day. Adding muscle is crucial to burning calories. Going below your BMR is not good. When you skip meals you lower your BMR, which then signals your body to go into survival mode. It will cut away that which is burning the most calories: not fat, but muscle. Calorie restriction is counterproductive. Be sure to follow next week as I give part two, providing helpful tips for you health!