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.

---

Whole Grains Prevent Weight Gain

Research from Harvard, recently published in the highly respected peer-reviewed... Read More

5 Natural Weight Loss Tips For A More Beautiful You

Living a powerful, healthy, fit and trim life is a... Read More

Meet the New Look Ronald McDonald

In a global television commercial just launched (10 June 2005),... Read More

The Pain of Instant Gratification

What a great world we live in. You want something,... Read More

After Gastric Bypass: Some Tough Love on Grieving Food

New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More

Leaning Toward Lean: Clear Thinking For Better Health(Care)

Mindfulness is all about paying attention. It's amazing what can... Read More

Diet Pills And Safe Weight Loss: A Quick Guide To Diet Pills

Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More

The First Tragedy in a Lifetime of Weightloss

I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More

Finally, Natural Weight Loss Availalble, Judge Lifts Ban on Ephedra

April 14, 2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal... Read More

Why Did Your Diet Fail You? Or Did You Fail Your Diet?

Are you someone who has, in the past, been on... Read More

Reasons for Obesity

Causes of ObesityJust like there is no weight loss pill... Read More

Dieting? Upgrading Your Non-Conscious Mind ? Part 2

To upgrade the current software in your brain you can... Read More

Five Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Diet

You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More

Rating The Diets: A Mindless Exercise?

There has been a recent surge in the experts weighing... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery ? How Fast Will I Lose The Weight?

The gastric bypass procedure isn't for everyone, but those who've... Read More

Weight Loss Maintenance Tip - Staying Aware

Stop Weight From Creeping Up By Staying AwareEveryone has small... Read More

Does Ephedra Really Shed the Pounds Like It Promises? I Decided to Put It to the Test!

Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More

No One Ever Got Fat Eating Broccoli!

Diet tips for losing weight abound. Some are good, some... Read More

Simple Plans for Social Eating and Travel

It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More

Online Weight Loss - Fact or Farce?

Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More

Fad Diet Popularity

A common question among weight loss professionals...If fad diets don't... Read More

Weight Loss - Attitude Counts

Weight loss specialists will tell you that attitude has a... Read More

A Full Scale War

It happens every morning when you mosey out of bed,... Read More

Finding the RIGHT Diet Pill

Hundreds of products on the market today claim to be... Read More

BMI: Between Meal Intrigue Hits the Highway

If you've been pursuing a lighter, healthier version of yourself,... Read More

The Truth About Dieting And Weight Loss

You may not like what I'm about to say, but... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Fat Burning Exercise: Choose One That Can Revive Your Bodys Own Fat Burning Dynamism

Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More

Diet Pills ? Do They Work? Are They Safe? Which One Should I Use?

Diet Pills are the fastest growing segment of the dietary... Read More

Magnetic Weight Loss -- Does It Work?

Magnetic weight loss is the newest fad diet supplement to... Read More

Are you Making these Weight Loss Mistakes?

There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More

Surviving Glycemic Diets (Ketogenic, Low-Carb or Atkins):

1.The first step to living a Glycemic Diet Lifestyle is... Read More