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.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More
You have probably heard the old myth, that you should... Read More
The holidays are now officially over and it's time to... Read More
Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
Weight loss is a hot topic among college students today,... Read More
You know what is so amazing? We get to keep... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights... Read More
If you're like most people who tried losing weight on... Read More
When people hear the term Unified Theory, some times called... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More
How many calories do you need? Well, that depends on... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
Are you tired of getting the same old advice when... Read More
A distorted body image is one of the symptoms that... Read More
The vast majority of postpartum women will not return to... Read More
Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More
To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More
Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons-- like... Read More
Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn't... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Are there any foods that burn body fat? If yes,... Read More
Weight Loss Their Greatest Opponent --------------------------------- Before high school and... Read More
What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to... Read More
I was at the grocery store the other day, doing... Read More
Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More
Food manufacturers can easily manipulate a whole population by the... Read More
Do you remember nodding your head with understanding during your... Read More
To understand how surgical procedures aid the grossly overweight person... Read More
Fats are always looked at as a negative in a... Read More
I clearly remember how much I loathed having my picture... Read More
There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More
On the road to weight loss, fitness, and health,... Read More
No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More
Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More
Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More
Before many Australians recently, a devastating story unfolded on a... Read More
Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More
Frankly, I'm puzzled whenever I hear this from somebody who's... Read More
Yes, you must be aware of the following 7 points... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
Zero Calorie Diet Sodas: Good Or Bad For Weight Loss?Calorie-free... Read More
We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More
If you're a low carb diet enthusiast, you've probably tried... Read More
The act of taking the first step is what separates... Read More
The Order of Energy UtilizationBack to our table of stored... Read More
Weight Loss |