Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the indicator of a weight problem ? the actual percentage of body fat is the true indicator. You need to know what percent of you is actually FAT. How are you going to monitor your weight loss if you do not know what percent of your body is fat, before you begin your program?
Let me give you an example on measuring body fat, this is important in understanding weight loss, or should I say FAT LOSS. This is actually what we are trying to lose, right? FAT!
Lets say someone weighs 200 pounds and when we measure their body fat we find out there body fat is 40%
This means that 40% of the members body is made of fat (80 lbs). The other 120 lbs is muscle, bones, organs, water, etc. (everything but fat).
Now any true weight loss program should include some form of strength training customized to their personal abilities (Another reason you need someone who truly understands the whole body and how it works). Because if you can gain some of that muscle mass that we lose with age, our bodies will burn more calories and therefore burn more FAT!
Now it's a few weeks into the program and this person steps on the scale and they now weigh 198 lbs. They are a little disappointed because they thought they were doing better. Their clothes fit better, they have more energy, and they are feeling better.
But they are still depressed because they only lost a lousy 2 pounds! Right? Are we sure???
We now check their body fat and it is now 36% not 40%. Let's do a little math.
200 lbs at 40% body fat means that 40% of them is fat, which equals 80 lbs of FAT, and 120 lbs are muscles and everything else (called the lean body mass).
198 lbs at 36% body fat means that 36% of them is fat which equals 71 lbs of FAT, and 125 lbs of lean body mass.
This person actually lost 9 pounds of FAT (the stuff we are trying to lose) and gained 5 pounds of lean body mass (mostly muscle mass, which is a good thing because this will allow their body to burn more calories!)
You need to measure and focus on PERCENT OF BODY FAT, AND NOT WEIGHT!
But don't worry, when your body fat goes down, as your body fat decreases so will the numbers on the scale!
About The Author
Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician, practicing in Mesa; AZ. Dr. Banas personally lost 60 pounds in 2003 and now uses his experience to help others struggling with their weight problems. Dr. Banas can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com.
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..For those of you who aren't familiar with ephedra let... Read More
Losing weight quickly is not advisable as most of the... Read More
1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
It happens every morning when you mosey out of bed,... Read More
Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of... Read More
If it seems that you have been eating as usual... Read More
Barriers to healthy diets are placed into four broad categories:... Read More
Rules of day to day no longer apply as you... Read More
If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More
Have you ever experienced this scenario before?"I have successfully lost... Read More
A typical breakfast consists of 3 or 4 strips of... Read More
The perfect diet should be combined with a healthy weight... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More
I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More
Any weight loss or diet plan, including low-carb plans like... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
I believe that water not only helps with weight loss,... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More
I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..There is no such thing as spot reducing. Any fat... Read More
All of the things we tell sick people so that... Read More
I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More
Lose The Weight For Good With The Seven Phases of... Read More
New Medical Research shows high-intensity exercise can increase the body's... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
Here are the 4 things you need to know about... Read More
As a weight loss coach I speak will people regularly... Read More
Many people have asked me what foods they should eat... Read More
Lipoxinol Weight Loss Review: Does Lipoxinol Live Up To All... Read More
All weight loss diets make you FatThat's right, because on... Read More
We, as a society, are always trying to lose weight.... Read More
Abdominal fat is now seen as a growing health hazard,... Read More
In recent years, carbohydrates have been labeled as the nutrition... Read More
There are as many reasons you've given yourself to eat... Read More
This is a very important topic that needs to be... Read More
Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More
1.The first step to living a Glycemic Diet Lifestyle is... Read More
Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More
Dealing with your sweet-tooth can be one of the greatest... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
If you have been dieting and haven't lost weight, stop!... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
The math is pretty simple. One pound of fat equals... Read More
Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More
Weight Loss |