Saturday, December 15, 2007

Weight Loss vs Fat Loss

Weight Loss V.S. Fat Loss
When people feel overweight or out of shape the first thing that comes to mind is the need to lose weight. Weight loss is highly publicized and used frequently by many people when attempting to get slimmer. What is weight loss?

Weight loss is losing body weight. That is simply what it is. It can be weight loss from water, fat, muscle, excreted feces, or a mix of all of them. Obviously, the main goal of weight loss is to lose fat. Fat loss is what everybody wants but is not what everybody first thinks. Here’s the typical person’s thought: “I’m fat…I need to lose weight.” Rather than thinking that they need to lose fat they state that they need to lose weight.

Although weight loss is good, losing muscle will not be beneficial in any way. One needs to be VERY careful in starting any plan that promises “weight loss”, especially guaranteed results fast. Those programs can and will hold to their promise at the expense of healthy muscle. Muscle is a very important element in losing weight and staying healthy. You don’t want to lose any! There are also comfort zones in weight loss.

Another cheap tactic marketers use for weight loss is the promises of quick pound reduction. Diets, such as the “master cleanse” are known to make one lose an immense amount of weight. Most of the weight is gained back very quickly once the individual returns back to normal eating. Cleansing diets are effective in causing weight loss but the primary purpose of cleanses is to cleanse! Losing weight on those diets is not the focus and will only be temporary.

Losing fat should be the top priority in any person’s mind who wants to lose weight. Fat loss will not only make one healthier but their results will look better. Losing 20 pounds of muscle will make you saggy and lose. Losing 20 pounds of fat will make you look firmer, leaner, and much healthier. I don’t know about you but I rather lose the fat and take a little longer than lose 20 pounds of muscle and look like my great grandfather.

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