Fuel your weight loss, don't starve it

Fuel your weight loss, don’t starve it

When you start managing your weight proactively, it’s easy to think eating less automatically equals better results.

That can feel logical, right?

But the truth is, cutting your food intake too dramatically can backfire.

Starving yourself doesn't just make you tired and grumpy, it also risks losing muscle instead of fat.

Let’s talk through how to fuel your body effectively, keep muscle and actually feel good during your weight loss journey.

Why starving yourself doesn’t work

Here’s the deal. Eating too little means your bodycould start burning muscle along with fat - something we want to avoid.Muscle loss slows your metabolism and makes it harder to maintain your progress in the long run. This can also leave you feeling weak, tired and irritable, not exactly how you want to feel.

Ask yourself honestly: Have you noticed yourself eating less since starting your journey?

Briefly jot down your reflections to clearly track patterns or changes over time.

How have you felt physically and emotionally as a result?

How much is "enough"?

It’s easy to wonder exactly how much food you should eat. You're looking to find that sweet spot where you're satisfied but still losing fat. Paying attention to your hunger levels, energy and mood gives you great clues. Ideally, after meals, you want to feel comfortably full, energised and not sluggish or still hungry.

Try this at your next meal: Check in halfway through. How are your energy levels? Are you comfortably full, still hungry or feeling overly stuffed?

What you eat matters, a lot

Eating enough isn'tjust about quantity; it’s also about quality. Foods rich in protein, healthy fats and fibre keep you fuller longer. They support muscle retention and make sure your body burns fat, not valuable muscle tissue.