Is Dropping Weight Any Different Than Losing Fat?

It seems everyone in the Western world wants to lose weight. We seem to believe we just need to drop that last 10 (or 20 or 30) pounds to get into the shape we want. But if we focus on our weight, we’re fooling ourselves. How much you weigh is only a very approximate measure of how healthy you are, and dropping weight may not get you the results you want.

Why Losing Weight Isn’t the Answer

Even health care professionals sometimes fail to draw a distinction between being overweight and having too high a body fat percentage. Suppose that you and your identical twin go to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor tells you that you’re both overweight and recommends that you 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 decide on a different approach. You get your hands on a quality fitness program, which leads you to start eating healthier without going on any extreme diet. You also get serious about working out according to the guidelines in the program. You shoot for a lower body fat percentage and higher fitness level instead of maximum weight loss.

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, while your weight is almost the same as before. Yet 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. Why the difference?

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 thinner than before, but they’re not toned. They also have far less energy than they used to 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 all the exercise and good eating you’ve been doing has given you more muscle and left you in much better condition. 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 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. You’re clearly in better shape than you were six months ago, regardless of what the scale says.

Make Sure You Remember The Difference

You need to understand that people misspeak when they talk about losing weight. Concentrating on weight loss instead of fat loss is perhaps the biggest mistake people make and a big reason why people fail so miserably. Download Weight Loss Secrets and follow it. Soon you’ll start seeing results and stop obsessing about your weight. You’ll see and feel the results and no one will care about the number you see on the scale.

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