If you’re looking to join a new gym or fitness program in Bloomington, there’s a good chance that one of your main goals is to lose weight. But what does losing weight really involve? Is there a differentiation between losing weight and losing fat?
Weight loss is different from fat loss. It’s important to know the difference to help you achieve your goals. And keep them.
Weight Loss
Your body’s total weight includes bones, organs, muscles, fat and water. Losing weight could result in a smaller number on the scale, but weight loss doesn’t automatically mean the equivalent of health. If you’re losing weight from your muscles, you won’t achieve the effect you’re seeking. And it’s not manageable in the long run.
Why? Muscles are machines that consume fat. Muscle density impacts your metabolic rate, or how many calories your body burns. The less muscle your body has, the fewer calories your body will use.
Less muscle tissue also results in reduced absorption of nutrients. When your body can’t correctly get the nutrients it has to have, it stores your food as fat deposits, rather than using the food like fuel. The more muscle your body has, the more calories your body can consume. This takes place when you’re resting.
When you lose weight, you also get rid of water. Your muscles are 70% H2O and falling below that composition results in dehydration and muscle loss. In the end, it can result in muscle atrophy, which further lowers your metabolic rate.
Fat Loss
The most accurate way to analyze your body structure is body fat percentage. Think about two people. Both have matching height and weight, but one has a smaller body fat percentage.
While both individuals weigh the same amount on the scale, their internal body fat composition varies. The individual with less body fat will typically be stronger due to the fact they have a larger amount of muscle. Because of this, they’ll need a smaller shirt and pant size because they have less fat.
So, what’s the wisest approach to lose weight? By following strength training to add more muscle while simultaneously burning fat. We recommend following a fitness program that you enjoy. HIIT, also called high intensity interval training, is scientifically proven to torch fat and improve your metabolic rate.
Regardless of which workout program you select, it’s critical to fuel with a good diet and adequate hydration.
Ditch the Scale
We advise ditching the scale, as it isn’t a total measurement of your body’s composition. When you use it next, check with yourself, does it really matter how much I weigh? Or do you care more about liking the way your clothes fit when you get ready each day?
We desire for you to think about how your body feels, rather than the numerals on a screen. Want to discover more about getting rid of your scale forever? You can find out more about the healthy lifestyle we teach at FXB Bloomington during your free week. We’ll educate you how you can overhaul yourself—inside and out!