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.
tidy up service Glenview ..The Review Diaries She Unlimited MagazineThere are masses of carbohydrate... Read More
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly... Read More
If you are overweight and suffer from pain in your... Read More
One of the greatest tricks that I use to stick... Read More
I am not a diet and fitness guru or an... Read More
Dieting and weight loss is almost certainly the most lucrative... Read More
It's the American Dream: "If I could just lose a... Read More
America is getting more obese every year. Even our children... Read More
We all know it's hard to begin losing weight, no... Read More
There are those that walk amongst us who have followed... Read More
One pound of fat equals 3500 calories. Want to lose... Read More
How was it for you? Did you get through the... Read More
Notice, if you would, that every diet out there only... Read More
Like millions of men and women, I started resolving to... Read More
It is much safer to your long term health to... Read More
The loss of fat comes from fat cells all over... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose... Read More
Quick weight loss is promised by diets all the time.... Read More
When most people begin a Weight Loss program or diet... Read More
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we... Read More
It is estimated that about 32 million Americans are following... Read More
Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More
Whole grains and weight loss have a definite, scientific, and... Read More
You have probably heard the old myth, that you should... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Low Carb diets have become as popular as apple pie... Read More
"The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of... Read More
Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More
Nothing is more disappointing than hearing a gastric bypass patient... Read More
When you talk about losing weight you're really talking about... Read More
The best way you can get rid of your pop... Read More
1. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for... Read More
These days, most everyone has heard of low carb diets... Read More
Lousy Reasons to Lose Weight"I want to be a size... Read More
Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More
Why Making Small Changes in Your Eating Habits Adds up... Read More
Are you wondering why you're not losing weight? If you're... Read More
Obesity, once seen as akin to laziness and overeating, is... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Although liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic... Read More
I've talked to quite a few fellow gastric bypass patients... Read More
Are you up to a cave man diet? You won't... Read More
More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
Some Say I'm Strange. I Prefer to Think of Myself... Read More
Okay, so you've read some of these articles, done your... Read More
Have you ever wondered how actors stay in such great... Read More
Weight Loss |