Weight Loss - Scales Are For Fish, Not Weight Loss

Scales Are For Fish, Not Weight Loss

Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the indicator of a weight problem ? the actual percentage of body fat is the true indicator. You need to know what percent of you is actually FAT. How are you going to monitor your weight loss if you do not know what percent of your body is fat, before you begin your program?

Let me give you an example on measuring body fat, this is important in understanding weight loss, or should I say FAT LOSS. This is actually what we are trying to lose, right? FAT!

Lets say someone weighs 200 pounds and when we measure their body fat we find out there body fat is 40%

This means that 40% of the members body is made of fat (80 lbs). The other 120 lbs is muscle, bones, organs, water, etc. (everything but fat).

Now any true weight loss program should include some form of strength training customized to their personal abilities (Another reason you need someone who truly understands the whole body and how it works). Because if you can gain some of that muscle mass that we lose with age, our bodies will burn more calories and therefore burn more FAT!

Now it's a few weeks into the program and this person steps on the scale and they now weigh 198 lbs. They are a little disappointed because they thought they were doing better. Their clothes fit better, they have more energy, and they are feeling better.

But they are still depressed because they only lost a lousy 2 pounds! Right? Are we sure???

We now check their body fat and it is now 36% not 40%. Let's do a little math.

200 lbs at 40% body fat means that 40% of them is fat, which equals 80 lbs of FAT, and 120 lbs are muscles and everything else (called the lean body mass).

198 lbs at 36% body fat means that 36% of them is fat which equals 71 lbs of FAT, and 125 lbs of lean body mass.

This person actually lost 9 pounds of FAT (the stuff we are trying to lose) and gained 5 pounds of lean body mass (mostly muscle mass, which is a good thing because this will allow their body to burn more calories!)

You need to measure and focus on PERCENT OF BODY FAT, AND NOT WEIGHT!

But don't worry, when your body fat goes down, as your body fat decreases so will the numbers on the scale!

About The Author

Dr. Jeffrey Banas is a Chiropractic Sports Physician, practicing in Mesa; AZ. Dr. Banas personally lost 60 pounds in 2003 and now uses his experience to help others struggling with their weight problems. Dr. Banas can be reached at his office at 480-633-6837, or by visiting his web site at www.personal-weight-loss-help.com.

Car Insurance Rates | Dental Insurance | Health Insurance | Home Owner Insurance | Life Insurance Quote

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |

Grains And Weight Loss--do Whole Grains Help You Lose Weight?
Whole grains and weight loss have a definite, scientific, and proven connection. Perhaps that is not the best way or most accurate way to say it. It is actually whole grains and weight gain that have the connection. What do I m...(related: Weight Loss)

Eating On The Run For Weight Loss
"I'm too busy!""I'm always on the run." "I never leave my desk during the day."Sound familiar? These are the most common excuses I hear for why people don't eat a healthy, balanced diet. Too many people resort to fast food and junk because they don't think they have any other options. But with a little planning and preparation time, it is possible to eat well and maintain a busy lifestyle. If you will spend one to two hours one day a week preparing for the week ahead, it really is quite easy.At the grocery store stock up on healthy snack options such as yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts. Spend a little time putting these snack foods into individ...(related: Weight Loss)

Weight Loss: The A Factor - The #1 Secret To Sticking To Your Weight Loss Program!
Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what I have in the fitness world. And I surely didn't dream about writing best-sellingbooks or think my story was worth retelling...(related: Weight Loss)

7 Excuses For Not Starting Up Your Weight Loss Diet
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we human beings are facing. This also applies to changing food habits, and especially starting a weight loss diet, when you are used to eating what you want when you want it. When we feel defeated by...(related: Weight Loss)

Weight Gain = Poor Quality Of Life
Gaining up to 20 pounds over four years can significantly decrease quality of life, according to a study in the ...(related: Weight Loss)

South Beach Diet The Review Diaries
The Review DiariesShe Unlimited MagazineThere are masses of carbohydrate diets like the Atkins Diet and The Zone. Now Hamptons diet meets South Beach. I think most of us know the reason for it's creative principle of lowering cholesterol for Dr A`s patients and those with diabetes.The diets regimen is based on the consumption of complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean fats and proteins. It eliminates simple carbohydrates almost entirely (sweets, pasta, most bread, etc.) and aggressively restricts carbohydrate consumption during the weight loss phase of the diet, similar to Atkins.This type of diet is simply going to lower caloric intake for those who follow it, consequently weight loss....(related: Weight Loss)

Hoodia- Modern Zeal Of Ancient San
The long marginalized San tribe of South Africa has suddenly come to the time light. An ancient practice of chewing a plant to ward of hunger has given birth to the modern charisma called P57. The miraculous molecule found in Hoodia Gordonii acts on hunger, diminishing the appetite. The South African Bushmen named the cactus plant khoba. With the magic stick of Khoba in their hand, they are surely going to benefit financially and in terms of social repute.The scientific and Industrial Research council (CSIR), in the year 1996 identified the presence of appetite ? suppressant in...(related: Weight Loss)

Water And Weight Loss
Water is useful when we are trying for losing weight. Water suppresses the appetite and helps to reduce the body fat. There are lots of study materials about how water help in reducing fat available online. Study shows that if the intake of water in body is less then this will increase the fat level in the body.Water plays a very important role into the basic body function. Taking fresh water is the key for healthier body. Intake of fresh water helps most of body function like clear and healthy skin; weight loss; reduce the level of cholesterol into the body.According to a report published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, to be well hydrated, the average sedentary adult man "must consume at least 2,900 milliliters (12 cups) fluid per day, and the average sedentary adult woman at least...(related: Weight Loss)

Gastric Bypass Surgery, An Overview
With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so rapidly in America it was only a matter of time before the miracle cure for those who were morbidly obese. Is it all really as simple as stapling your stomach?The gastric bypass has suffered both positive and negative press since it's availability to the general public. We've heard the fatal horror stories resulting in death months down the line after the surgery, but we've also ...(related: Weight Loss)

Four Big Weight Loss No-nos

I've worked with hundreds of people who
were interested in losing weight. Over
the years I've noticed four areas that
I believe are particular hindrances
to weight loss. If your goal is to be
successful at losing weight and keeping
it off, avoid the "big 4" no-nos.

#1 Big No-No: Not exercising on a daily
basis. Daily exercise sends your metabolism
through the roof! I have seen VERY FEW people
who are not very regular exercisers, lose
weight AND keep it off.

Losing weight and maintaining that loss
can be very difficult. However, both can
be made considerably easier with regular
exercise, preferably in the morning.

If you're interested in losing fat, you're
objective is to create a ...(related: Weight Loss)

Dieting? Mental Activity Is As Important As Physical
Activity means both mental and physical activity.Mental activity is similar to physical activity. And I am not talking about worry. That is not constructive mental activity. Wouldn't it be nice if it was? Well, it isn't. When I talk about mental activity, I am talkin...(related: Weight Loss)