Arnold Schwarzenegger has crafted his extraordinary career through the perfect fusion of nutrition, exercise, and relentless determination. In a recent Arnold’s Pump Club newsletter, Schwarzenegger explains how eating at night affects the body and shares an interesting way to motivate for a workout.
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s journey in bodybuilding reads like a blockbuster action film, complete with epic showdowns on stage and muscles that could rival any competitor. From his humble beginnings in Austria to becoming the undisputed king of the bodybuilding world, Schwarzenegger’s path was paved with iron, protein shakes, and a relentless drive to be the best.
With biceps that commanded attention and a demeanor that radiated confidence, Arnold Schwarzenegger powered his way to an unprecedented seven Mr. Olympia title wins, firmly establishing his place as an enduring legend in the realm of bodybuilding.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down The Impact Of Eating Before Bed
In retirement, Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken on the role of a nutrition guru, educating his followers on the importance of eating better. Schwarzenegger passionately promotes the consumption of whole, nutrient-dense foods while advising against processed sugars and unhealthy fats.
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In a recent newsletter, Arnold Schwarzenegger got to the meat and potatoes of eating late at night. While it is usually believed that eating at night causes weight gain, Schwarzenegger explains that it comes down to the amount of calories eaten in the day, not the time of day.
“The first thing you need to know is that the food you eat at night is not more likely to be stored as fat. There’s a myth that eating after a particular hour (usually 6 or 7 pm) causes food to be stored differently. However, gaining weight depends on the total calories you eat in a day, not when you eat.”
That being said, Arnold Schwarzenegger warns that this can trigger reactions such as indigestion and heartburn, which can lead to poor sleep.
“But, the timing of your meal could trigger a domino effect that indirectly leads to weight gain.”
“Research suggests that eating too close to your sleep (approximately three to four hours before) can lead to more disrupted sleep or cause heartburn or acid reflux symptoms” Schwarzenegger wrote.
While it may seem minor, getting poor sleep can cause the release of hormones which leads to other poor choices such as cravings and eating more food.
“When you experience poor sleep, it affects the hormones (leptin and ghrelin) that affect hunger and cravings. Specifically, you’re more likely to feel hungry and crave foods that are loaded with calories when you get poor-quality sleep.”
“In fact, in a recent study, 16 overweight adults lived in a lab for a week. Everything was measured, and everyone ate the same amount of food. But one group ate immediately when they woke up, lunch around noon, and then an early dinner. The other group pushed everything back four hours, meaning all meals happened later in the day.”
“Those who ate later in the morning and night felt hungrier throughout the day, had lower levels of the hormone that makes you feel full (leptin), and had higher levels of the hormone that makes you feel hungry (ghrelin). Neither group lost more weight because they controlled how much everyone ate, but — in a non-lab setting — you can see what might happen. The combination of less fullness and more hunger could cause you to overeat frequently.”
Schwarzenegger suggests that when it comes to losing weight, prioritizing good sleep and not eating late is a great place to start.
“If you struggle with hunger, a great place to start is prioritizing better sleep and trying to cut off any food about two to three hours before you sleep.”
Schwarzenegger Shares An Unexpected Way To Get Pumped Up For A Workout
Arnold Schwarzenegger strongly expresses the importance of regular physical activity in achieving optimal health and vitality. From weightlifting to cardio, Schwarzenegger emphasizes the transformative effects they have not only on the body but on mental well-being. Although, it can be hard to push yourself to be active, Schwarzenegger shared a unique trick to make you more likely to exercise.
“When it comes time to get ready for the gym, watching Pumping Iron, listening to your favorite songs, or joining a group or challenge can help increase motivation. But we’ve never heard of someone buying fruit.”
A recent study suggests that people who ate more avocados were more likely to exercise” Arnold wrote.
While it seems totally bizarre, research proved that eating more avocados led to more physical activity.
“The outcome was something that makes you wonder, what’s going on here? The researchers randomly assigned families to two groups: one group received 14 avocados per week, and the other received three avocados per week.”
“Total physical activity increased by 2,197 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes per week in the intervention group compared to the control group.”
What makes avocados so special? Well, Arnold Schwarzenegger explains that it doesn’t contain any magical ingredients but causes a ‘spillover or transfer effect.’
“Is there some special nutrient found in avocados that makes people want to exercise? Maybe, but not likely. A more plausible explanation is that avocados increased physical activity due to a psychological phenomenon known as the spillover or transfer effect.”
“By eating avocados, the participants recognized they were making a healthy choice, which may have inspired them to make other healthy choices, like being more physically active.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger says making one positive fitness decision could lead to many more.
“This concept has important implications. By recognizing you’re taking steps towards improving your health, whether that’s sticking to a regular bedtime, cutting back on alcohol, or, yes, even eating avocados, you can inspire yourself to make even more healthy choices. So, if you’re struggling to build a healthier habit — such as exercise — start with another healthier habit. Once you master that, you might find it easier to begin doing other things that are good for you.”
This isn’t the first time that Arnold Schwarzenegger has talked about the importance of eating healthy and getting good sleep. In the past, Schwarzenegger revealed that getting better sleep helps shed unwanted body fat. When it comes to eating, he has shared that there is a connection between food and mental health, specifically that eating more processed ingredients has led to depression and anxiety.
In the dynamic world of health and fitness, Arnold Schwarzenegger stands as a true trailblazer, reshaping the landscape with his infectious energy and unwavering commitment. His influence extends far beyond the bodybuilding realm, reaching millions with a powerful message of vitality and self-improvement.
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