If you’re thinking about joining a new gym or fitness program in Ames, it’s likely that one of your top goals is to lose weight. But what does losing weight really entail? Is there a distinction between losing weight and losing fat?
Weight loss is different from fat loss. It’s critical to understand the two to help you achieve your goals. And maintain them.
Your body’s complete weight encompasses bones, organs, muscles, fat and water. Losing weight could create a lighter number on the scale, but weight loss doesn’t necessarily equal health. If you’re losing weight from your muscles, you won’t receive the results you’re hoping for. And it’s not sustainable for a long time.
Why? Muscles are machines that consume fat. Muscle density affects your metabolic rate, or the rate your body burns calories. The less muscle your frame has, the fewer calories your body will use.
Less muscle tissue also results in decreased absorption of nutrients. When your body can’t correctly get the nutrients it has to have, it stores your food as fat deposits, in place of using the food like fuel. The more muscle your frame has, the more calories your body can burn. This even applies when you’re not active.
When you lose weight, you also shed water. Your muscles are 70% liquid and dropping under that composition causes dehydration and muscle loss. In the end, it may cause muscle atrophy, which further lowers your metabolic rate.
The most exact way to analyze your body makeup is body fat percentage. Think about two adults. Both are an identical height and weight, but one has a lower body fat percentage.
While both adults have the same weight on the scale, their internal body fat composition is different. The individual with less body fat will typically be stronger since they have a larger amount of muscle. Due to this, they’ll fit into a smaller shirt and pant size since they have less fat.
So, what’s the smartest way to lose weight? By using strength training to build muscle while also burning fat. We recommend choosing a fitness program that you have fun with. HIIT, or high intensity interval training, is scientifically proven to melt fat and improve your metabolic rate.
Whichever workout program you follow, it’s crucial to fuel with a balanced diet and proper hydration.
Ditch the Scale
We advise ditching the scale, as it isn’t a total representation of your body’s composition. When you use it next, ask yourself, does the number really matter? Or are your more concerned with liking the way your clothes fit when you get dressed each day?
We desire for you to focus on how your body feels, rather than the numerals on a screen. Want to find out more about ditching your scale for good? You can discover more about the healthy habits we teach at FXB Ames during your free week. We’ll educate you how you can transform yourself—inside and out!