Why You Need To Focus On Fat Loss, Not Weight Loss, To Get Fit At Last

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Monday, February 23rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Doesn’t it seem like every person you know wants to lose weight? We seem to believe we just need to drop that last 10 (or 20 or 30) pounds and we’ll be fit and sexy. But we’re fooling ourselves. How much you weigh is only a very approximate measure of your fitness, and losing weight won’t necessarily make you fitter.

Losing Weight Isn’t The Key

Even health care professionals blur the distinction between being overweight and carrying too much fat. Imagine that you and your identical twin go to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor tells you both that you need to lose 20 pounds. Your twin decides to concentrate on losing weight as fast as possible by going on one of the popular quick weight loss diets.

You being a non-conformist and having read this article, know that there’s a big difference between losing weight and losing fat. So you decide to follow a different path. Instead of going on a weight loss diet, you start eating healthier, more nutritious meals. You do some research and invest in a fitness program that appeals to you, and begin lifting weights and running regularly. Being the rebel you are, you’ve decided to concentrate on reducing your body fat percentage, rather than worrying about your exact weight.

After six months, you and your twin go back for another physical. They weigh you and give you all the usual tests, then sit you down to discuss your progress. Your twin is confident that they’ve finally outdone you at something, having lost the weight the doctor ordered and then some. You haven’t lost much weight at all, so your twin seems to have something to be smug about. However, the news the doctor gives you seems surprising. The doctor congratulates your twin on losing 20+ pounds, but tells them that the test results indicate they need to lose another 10 pounds or so. Then the doctor turns to you. While noting that you didn’t lose the amount of weight suggested, your test results are now excellent and you don’t need to lose anything more. How can that make any sense?

Fat Loss, Not Weight Loss, Is What Matters

The doctor gives you and your twin different instructions now because the numbers on the scale aren’t the most important thing. Your twin has been on an extreme weight loss diet for six months. They’ve lost a good bit of body fat. But they’ve also lost a good amount of muscle, along with a lot of water weight. Their body fat percentage (the ratio of fat to lean tissue in their body) is almost unchanged. Their dieting also took a toll on them. Just look at them. They look skinnier than before, but they’re not toned. They’re also low on energy and generally don’t look so good.

You’re a completely different story. Sure, you didn’t lose the amount of weight the doctor told you to. But with all that exercise and healthy eating, you’ve added some muscle to your frame. And even though the number on the scale hasn’t changed much, you can somehow fit into those old jeans that were too tight just a few months ago. And you don’t look flabby anymore.

The number on the scale doesn’t show it, but you’ve actually reduced your body fat percentage a good bit. You’re also feeling great, with lots of energy. If you ignore the scale and look in the mirror instead, you’re clearly in better shape than you’ve been in a long time.

Remember That Body Fat & Fitness Are What Really Count

I hope you now understand why just focusing on losing weight is a bad idea. It’s a huge part of the reason why so many people are fat and unhappy with themselves. If everyone were to concentrate on getting fit and losing fat, instead of watching some number on their bathroom scale, we would all be a lot better off. Now you know the right thing to do. Just find yourself a quality fitness program and follow the instructions. You’ll start eating better and exercising properly. Soon you’ll be burning off your excess body fat and getting fitter by the day.

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