Resistances to achieving the PERFECT BODY

You run. You tackle. You spar. You lift. You jump. You sweat. Now you need to ensure the hard work pays off by removing any problems preventing you from achieving a healthy and happy body. This month, I challenge the age-old exercise myth that weight gain is all about energy expenditure and also discuss the ways in which hormonal imbalance, sleep deprivation, gut health and overtraining can manipulate your body shape, muscle anabolism and basal metabolic rate. So, safeguard your sweat sessions by tackling these common obstacles to the perfect body.

LACK OF SLEEP

Poor sleep quality or quantity can suppress your six-pack goals and stifle your weight loss dreams by reducing your metabolic rate, increasing cravings and impacting appetite regulation. Research has shown that inadequate sleep is associated with an increase in weight, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Interrupted sleep ultimately affects your energy balance which heavily influences what you eat, how much you eat and how strong your willpower and motivation remain. The evidence here is overwhelming: when sleep goes up, weight goes down.

Sleep deprivation causes changes to hormones that regulate hunger and appetite. The hormone leptin suppresses appetite and encourages the body to expend energy. Lack