Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

This is still a real struggle for most people to understand. I can pretty much guarantee that every new personal training client I talk to will tell me their main goal is weight loss, but is that really what they are striving for?!

The Biggest Loser on the TV every year has morbidly obese individuals losing massive amount of weight each week. One guy lost over 2st in his first week but let’s not get carried away with this, his weight loss did not comprise of just the good stuff! I’m talking body fat. That is the key substance that needs to be burnt off the body to give you the firm, toned look that most people are striving for.

The 2st of weight lost by this guy on the TV was not solely made up of this and the biggest contribution to this weight loss was probably water alongside body fat and muscle. For a guy over 30st, the pressure on his heart is immense and it’s critical for him to lose the weight just to make everyday living easier. However, most people out there are only a few stone over weight and need to look at the long term effects of how they reach their weight loss goals.

Most dieters will over reduce their calories and start some form of low intensity exercise. This may result in weight loss but that will be made up of as much muscle and water as it will fat! If you lose muscle, you will lose firmness but more importantly the chances of you maintaining your hard earned results over a prolonged period of time will decrease significantly. Therefore taking a huge step backwards!

It’s very interesting to compare body types to show the difference between weight loss and fat loss. Celebrities and athletes are a great example. There is bound to be a celebrity on the TV advertising some great new weight loss diet and they’ll stand there looking slimmer and you will think 'wow, they look great, it must work.’ But take a minute to really look at that person and see if you can see any definition in there arms or whether they actually look quite soft. This is the key difference, a person on a weight loss diet may appear slim but they will be soft as they will have lost a lot of muscle along the way!

A lot of athletes out there and that includes dancers and skaters on shows such as Dancing on Ice and Strictly, have slim physiques but look at the definition. They have a low body fat and a lean, firm and toned body. This is what you get with fat loss. These people eat regular meals made up of lean protein and healthy fruit and vegetables. They workout regularly with high intensity bouts of interval training and weights! Yes weight training is vital. It helps reduce muscle loss and will give you that tone.

People need to re-focus on what it is they really want. Do you want to lose weight quickly but still have a soft, wobbly physique and be more at risk of falling off the wagon and putting it all back on and more? Or do you want to start a fat loss journey that might take a bit longer but will be more sustainable over a long period of time and leave you firm, toned and looking amazing?

There is a massive difference between Weight loss and fat loss - which journey do you want to take?!

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