Many years ago, if people wanted food to eat they had to either go hunting everyday or grow their own food. That’s a lot of work – that’s a lot of physical activity. Our bodies were designed to expend energy in order to get food. Even though this is no longer necessary, it doesn’t change the fact that our bodies are actually designed this way. When you skip a meal, your body thinks that you’re out in the wild and, for whatever reason, food is hard to come by. This is a built in survival mechanism that all of us have – it’s built in. When your body thinks food is hard to find, it makes two changes to protect you from starving. First it slows your metabolism causing your body to slow down and burn less fat. Secondly, the meal you eat after you skip a meal will be converted almost entirely to fat and stored – to protect you from starving. If you skip breakfast, almost all of what you eat for lunch is converted to fat. You think you’re taking in less food but in reality you’re causing your body to store fat. Eat regularly throughout the day but eat the right foods. Your metabolism will increase, your stamina and endurance will increase, your appetite will decrease, and your body will produce less fat while it burns more! Learn to “listen” to your body – it knows what’s best for you. Eat when you’re hungry and stop eating once you’re full.