Sometimes the wording we use makes a problem harder to solve. If you’re too fat, you say you want to lose weight. But whether they know it or not, what they should concentrate on is healthy fat loss. Understanding the distinction & acting on it will all the difference.
Why Losing Weight Isn’t the Answer
Even doctors and nutritionists sometimes fail to draw a distinction between being overweight and carrying too much fat. Imagine that you and your identical twin go to the doctor for a physical. The doctor tells you that you’re both overweight and recommends that you lose 20 pounds. Your literal-minded twin joins a respected weight loss program to do exactly that as fast as possible.
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 concentrating on losing weight, you start eating healthy, filling meals. You also get serious about that workout program you’ve been saying you were going to start, and begin lifting weights and running regularly. You’ve decided to concentrate on a nutrition and exercise program that will make you fitter while reducing your body fat percentage, rather than freaking out over your exact weight.
Half a year passes and you and your twin are back at the doctor for your next physical. Your twin lost all the weight the doctor wanted them to, but you’ve only lost a few pounds. Despite their success at doing what they were told to, the doctor tells your twin that they need to lose another 10 pounds. In the next breath the doctor tells you that you’re in great shape and don’t need to lose any more weight. Do you understand what happened here?
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. And look at them. They look skinnier than they used to, but they’re still kind of flabby. They’re also low on energy and generally don’t look so good.
You’re a completely different story. Sure, you didn’t come close to losing the amount of weight the doctor recommended. 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, the shape of your body has changed and you fit into those old jeans that were too tight just a few months ago. And you don’t look flabby anymore.
While the scale doesn’t show much change, you’ve added muscle and lost fat, greatly reducing your body fat percentage. Thanks to the fitness program you’ve been following, you’re also feeling alert and energetic all the time. 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.
Get It Right
You need to get this one right. Concentrating on weight loss instead of fat loss is a big mistake and a big reason why people fail so miserably. Find a fitness program that suits your life and follow it. Soon you’ll be losing fat and getting fit instead of obsessing about your weight. You’ll see and feel the results and no one will care about the number you see on the scale.