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.
home cleaning services Deerfield ..You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More
WOW!! Here we are on lesson #10. Hasn't it been... Read More
One of the most popular diets is the low carb... Read More
Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery need to be... Read More
The weight loss protein debate centers around the effectiveness of... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
Q: "I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm not... Read More
Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate... Read More
More and more people are turning to hypnosis or hypnotherapy... Read More
Getting to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
Used a diet pill recently and got depressed because you... Read More
Liposuction is also referred to as lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy and... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
You may have read the old stories about how much... Read More
Acupuncture for weight loss is a modern application of this... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?If you have excess... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
According to Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert Atkins,... Read More
The very first thing you want to do before you... Read More
Each month I receive hundreds of e-mails from consumers who... Read More
Are you frustrated with your weight problem and don't know... Read More
No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More
More than any other time in history, people are all... Read More
Yes, you read it right?no diets!The first step in this... Read More
Before many Australians recently, a devastating story unfolded on a... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..Fifteen Secrets of Safe and Easy Permanent Weight Loss Revealed!*... Read More
Dieting doesn't have to be a chore. Actually, you can... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people... Read More
Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More
Self-acceptance and body love can be tough concepts to grasp... Read More
I was shocked. I started to cry...After the holidays, I... Read More
Barriers to healthy diets are placed into four broad categories:... Read More
At the University of Illinois, a new research found that... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More
We are a large people. 65% of us are overweight,... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
Your pants are a bit tight, you can't seem to... Read More
These days, Jennifer Secrist has little interest in idle activities.... Read More
I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose... Read More
Negative thoughts, symbolic protection, being who we really are ........ Read More
FINDING THE PERFECT DIETArriving at the Perfect Diet is no... Read More
Getting to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and... Read More
No One I Know Looks Like a Bathing Beauty, so... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
Before you even think of taking diet pills to lose... Read More
How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More
Weight Loss |