Apr 18, 2010

Are you sure you lose fat?

Losing weight is one of the hottest topics ever. Everyone seems to want to lose weight nowadays. But what is the difference between weight loss and fat loss? People seem to use both terms interchangeably.

After reading this post, you will understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss, but you should point and how.


Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss: What is the difference? We begin by defining the weight loss and fat loss if you know what I mean here.

    * Weight Loss. Want to reduce body weight, total weight of your bones, muscles, organs, body fat ...
    * Fat Loss. Want to reduce body fat, the amount of body fat goal. health targets are 10% body fat for men and 15% for women.


Problems with weight loss. If you want to lose weight, probably because it is carrying too much fat. There are people who need to lose weight, like athletes before a competition, but most want fat loss. Switch off the weight.

    * Reliable. Your weight can change every day, because it is influenced by his stomach / bowel / bladder contents, the loss of water retention, muscle loss / gain, fat loss / gain, ... You have no idea what is happening.
    * Irrelevant. 2 people with a similar height to have the same weight, but completely different, because you have low body fat than others.


The story of this last point explains why the BMI is flawed not take your body fat. The two boys in the top have the same BMI, but is much healthier: his body fat is lower.

Here's how the weight scale can mislead. Clothing, mirrors and pictures do not lie. Not even fat calipers. But the scale weight can become your worst enemy to deceive you and kill your motivation. Examples:

    * The carbohydrates and water. carbohydrate binding in water. Sun eat less carbohydrates you will lose weight: loss of water. That's why you lose so much weight on this Atkins diet, the first 2 weeks is mostly water. Of course, increase your intake of carbohydrates you will gain weight again: water retention.
    * Muscle gains and fat loss. You gain muscle while losing fat when you get into strength training. But the weight scale will look like you're not making progress: the body weight has not changed. Track your body fat using a fat caliper and you will see your body fat is down.


How do you ensure that you have lost fat and not muscle? Check the photo above: 5 pounds of muscle occupies less space than 5 pounds fat. This means you look slimmer body weight by building muscle. Keys to fat loss and muscle:

    * Become stronger. training builds muscle strength and prevents muscle loss. It also helps to stick to your diet.
    * Eat healthy. Eating unprocessed foods, 90% of the time and eat less carbohydrates.

You can do cardio to accelerate fat loss. But without strength training, cardiovascular causes loss of muscle and fat you lean. Avoid.


How to effectively monitor progress. No need to track progress weekly, drastic changes would not be sufficient. Monitor progress every 2 weeks.

    * Stop weight per day. Daily changes mess with your motivation. Weigh yourself once every 2 weeks, not more.
    * Stop looking in the mirror. self-image issues can distort perception. Take pictures of the body and compare them with existing ones.
    * Body Fat Track. Get a thickness of fat and keep track of body fat every 2 weeks. Use this guide handy and watch this video.
    * Acting. Measures perimeter of the neck, chest, arms, waist and thighs. Size should go, the rest should be up
    * Take pictures. pictures of the whole body from neck to ankle, front / rear / side, every 2 weeks. Compare with previous images.
    * Force Statistics. Keep training lied. Force is how to gain muscle and strength training prevents muscle breakdown.

So listen to what people say. You will notice your body changing more than you want. Clothes begin to feel too different.


You could not wish to lose weight. Big guys who want to lose weight often change their minds once they have reduced their body fat. They realize that they prefer large living room, as their body fat is healthy.

To lose fat first. Once you have your body fat down, see if you like what you see. Then decide if you still need to lose weight.

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