Why Eating Less Might Be Holding You Back

If you’ve ever thought the answer to feeling better, looking leaner, or getting stronger was to simply “eat less,” you’re not alone. Diet culture has drilled this idea into us for years. But here’s the truth: eating less can actually hold you back. Instead of giving you more energy or faster results, under-eating can leave you feeling tired, foggy, and stuck in a frustrating cycle of cravings and stalled progress.

Let’s talk about how to spot the signs of under-eating and what to do differently so your body feels fuelled—not drained.

Signs You Might Be Under-Eating

☑️ You’re constantly tired
☑️ You crash hard around 3pm
☑️ Cravings feel out of control
☑️ You’re not building muscle, despite training
☑️ You’re “doing everything right” but not seeing results

What Happens When You Don’t Eat Enough

When you consistently under-eat, your body does what it’s designed to do—protect you. Unfortunately, that means slowing down and holding back on the very results you want.

🔻 Metabolism slows down
🔻 Fat gets stored instead of burned
🔻 Muscle is broken down for energy
🔻 Sugar cravings spike (your brain is begging for glucose!)
🔻 Stress and fatigue increase

That 3pm chocolate attack? It’s not a lack of willpower—it’s biology. Your body is desperately trying to get quick energy to keep you going.

Muscle Loss & Metabolism

Here’s a key piece many people miss:

Less food = less muscle
Less muscle = slower metabolism

The result? A cycle of fatigue, stubborn fat, and plateaued progress—especially challenging during perimenopause when your body’s energy needs are shifting.

What Not to Do

❌ Skip meals
❌ Rely on coffee to suppress hunger
❌ Cut out entire food groups
❌ Train hard but fuel light

These backfire, leaving your body stressed and under-fuelled.

What to Do Instead

✅ Eat protein at every meal
✅ Don’t skip breakfast
✅ Include carbs (yes, even rice and bread!)
✅ Snack smart to keep energy steady
✅ Fuel your workouts—not just recover from them

Real Talk: Food is Fuel

You don’t need to earn your food. You don’t need to deprive yourself to “deserve” energy. Food is fuel, not a reward.

When you eat enough of the right things, your energy lifts, your mood steadies, and your results finally start to show. Sometimes, the missing piece isn’t more discipline—it’s simply more fuel.