So you’ve decided to lose weight…Let’s take a quick look at the differences between “weight loss” and “fat loss.”
Now that you’ve decided to take action, allow me to congratulate you! Many people start down this road, only to find themselves beginning again and again. Why? Because they are approaching the process with the wrong paradigm. We aren’t actually trying to lose “weight,” what we really want is to lose fat—stored body fat that is taking up extra room, and is damaging your health.
Why is the beginning assumption important? If we begin with the premise that we are losing weight, we are willing to do almost anything to accomplish this, including drastic diets like the whole HCG craze, or juice fasting. And while those will help you lose weight, the weight you are losing will be comprised of muscle and fluid, as well as some fat. This is problematic, as your basal metabolic rate is directly tied to your muscles and active tissues. So, if you are losing muscle, you are losing the means by which to burn the fat in the future, setting you up for future weight gain, and yo-yoing!
So, rather than getting on that roller coaster (or if you’re on it and you want OFF), make a healthier plan beginning with fat loss as your goal. That means taking measurements and body fat percentages, rather than looking at a scale, in order to track true fat loss. It also means healthy whole foods and limiting sweets as well as moving regularly, but not at the expense of your health. You’d be surprised how much you can eat if you focus your efforts on fruits and vegetables first, with the other items like meat as your side dish, rather than the main course.
Are you reading to make a REAL change? Start with a free assessment—a trainer will take those baseline measurements for you, so you have accurate information moving forward.
Set up a Free Fitness ConsultationBy Melissa Abromovich, Certified Personal Trainer at Elite Sports Club-River Glen