Lose Fat Mass Not Lean Mass For Weight Loss

Lose Fat Mass Not Lean Mass For Weight Loss

When it comes to losing weight, many of us have misconceptions about the ways we tend to adopt to achieve weight loss. Many of us think that if we starve our body by not eating enough food, then we would lose weight. Yes, its true that we would lose weight but the question is, is that the right way? Definitely not. As you read along, you would soon realize that how big a mistake one makes by starving the body to shed away the extra pounds.

So what is it when one weights 200 pounds? And what do you mean by weight loss? Well, it is the body which weights that much and shedding out the extra pounds is called weight loss. True, that is the answer what one would get from the majority and that is why they tend to make the same mistake when it comes to losing weight. Well if say, body weight is made up of muscle weight plus fat weight.

Body Weight = Muscle weight + Fat Weight
(200 Pounds) = (150 Pounds) + (50 Pounds)

And now i ask the same question. What do you mean by weight loss? The answer would definitely be different now. Weight loss is shedding out the fat weight but keeping the Muscle weight intact or even gaining Muscle weight which is definitely a good thing.

In technical terms, Muscle weight is called Lean Body Mass and Fat weight is called Body Fat Mass. And put together is often termed as body composition. I hope by now your perception on weight loss would have started changing. And if yes, you would definitely be asking some good questions about body composition.

• Would it mean weight loss is to make fat weight equal to Zero?
• If we starve our body, isn't the Fat weight that is being used up?
• Why did i mention gaining Muscle weight is good though it results in increase of overall body weight?

Making Fat weight to Zero should never be the goal of weight Loss. In fact it is considered healthy to definitely have certain percentage of Fat weight. Below is a table that tells what percentage of Muscle weight and Fat Weight is ideal for a healthy body and it differs based on the type of personality.

Classification	Women (% fat)	Men (% fat)
Essential Fat	10-12%	2-4%
Athletes	14-20%	6-13%
Fitness	21-24%	14-17%
Acceptable	25-31%	18-25%
Obese	32% plus	25% plus

* American Council on Exercise

And to answer other questions, one has to understand body metabolism activity which is a big topic by itself.