Call it what you will. Yo-Yo Dieting, Battle of the Bulge, The Holiday Pounds...it's that annoying tendency of our bodies to re-gain so easily weight that we tried to hard to lose. So why does this occur?

Basically, there are several mechanisms that your body relies on to keep your weight-o-meter at one constant level. While these survival mechanisms may have helped our ancestors rely on stored fat in times of cold, famine and trekking, it really doesn't help us out at all in our technology-assisted lifestyles, where food is prevalent and moving about is not very necessary. These fat preserving mechanisms include the following:

1. Studies have shown that "ex-fat" people have a higher tendency to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods. Since fat serves as a thermoregulator and a shock absorber, our natural mechanism is to try and keep a bit on, so the appetite naturally screams at you to gain that adipose tissue back once it's gotten used to having it there. As I mentioned, we don't actually *need* the fat, but the natural desire is present.
2. Once the body has lost fat, your brain is under the impression that food is scarce and starvation is a threat. To conserve your resources, the body naturally decreases your metabolism so that you burn less calories during the day. As your metabolic rate decreases, it becomes tougher to burn calories, and more exercise becomes necessary.
3. An enzyme called lipoprotein lipase actually increases in individuals who have lost weight. This enzyme promotes storage of adipose tissue, especially in the abdominal regions. This means that if you consume any extra calories, they are that much more likely to be stored as fat rather than burnt as energy.
4. Your body naturally burns a mixture of carbohydrates and fats. While this mixture varies from person to person, an individual who has lost weight tends to *not* burn as many fatty acids as part of the mixture. Again, this is just a natural mechanism to retain storage fat, but it can be quite inconvenient when you're trying to keep the pounds at bay.

Combine these mechanisms with the fact that your body never actually gets rid of fat cells once they're there. The cells simply decrease in size, waiting for a chance to gobble up any extra calories you might throw their way so that they can grow back into well-fed fat cells. It really is true - individuals who used to be fat actually face a constant uphill battle once they've lost weight!

So how do you avoid the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and high cholesterol that accompany an expanding waistline? As long as you're sticking to the diet that got you lean in the first place, your best plan is to constantly keep your metabolism guessing with frequently changing activities. From week to week, change up your exercise routine, try new sports, alter your intensity, don't workout at the same time of day, and consistently attempt to throw a metabolic curveball at your body.

Often, individuals that I train in the gym or online will not repeat a workout for up to 8 weeks! They're simply changing exercises every single day, and they see much more consistent and noticeable results than the individuals who stay on the identical routine for 8 weeks before switching things up.

That's all for now. Feel free to e-mail me at elite@pacificfit.net with questions!

Until next time, train smart,

Ben Greenfield

"The Off-Season."

Oh no. All your races are done until next spring. So it's time to start training hard and long, right? Unless you're wanting to be very, very prepared for an Ironman, and you're the type who just can't get enough of swimming, cycling, and running, then fine. Otherwise, branch out! Here's my plan up until December, when I'll really be starting to train for Ironman.

Bi-weekly basketball games

Indoor tennis league

Water polo

Cyclocross

This way, I'll stay fresh, somewhat fit, and most importantly, very motivated to train once the holidays are through! Don't burn out on triathlon - there's many more ways to stay fit!

-Nutritional Consultation Coupon - Click here to get the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available from Pacific Elite Fitness for only $45!

• Learn exactly why alcohol makes you gain weight and what to do about it!

• Read about the one special meal ingredient that results in instant weight loss, and 5 ways to get it!

• Can sugar really make you fat? Find out the answer, and what you can do about it.

• Get 3 quick 20 minute workouts to tone the body – with zero equipment requirements.

• Discover 5 nutritional myths that can change your life.

• What is the mysterious fat burning zone, and will it really work?

• Discover the top 10 ways to turn your body into a fat-burning machine!

• Get the details on the ultimate 15 minute workout.

• Read about functional training and how to use this powerful tool to quadruple your exercise results!

• Gain an understanding of how to get through the holidays without completely sabotaging your weight.

• It’s actually possible to lose weight during a road trip! Find out how.

• Learn the 10 readily accessible snacks that can melt away fat.

• Learn an easy-to-follow, 7 day-a-week, 30-minute-a-day exercise program!

• Lose 26 pounds a year by while you watch TV!

• Learn the 10 how-to-get-fat rules that you have to break to lose weight.

• Find out how to customize your exercise and diet routine for your exact body type!

• 5 finger-lickin’ party foods that will actually help you lose weight and stay healthy.

• Learn exactly why you need to know about the BMR - the key to weight loss success.

• The essential 7 how-to’s of late night snacking.

• Get the complete low-down on sugar and artificial sweeteners.

• Find out exactly what kind of cardio burns the most calories.

• Stuck at the grocery store? Get a comprehensive description of how to shop and what to get.

Order this ground breaking e-book now for just $19.95, only available through Pacific Elite Fitness!