Doesn't it seem like every person you know wants to lose weight? We seem to believe we just need to drop a few (or quite a few) more pounds to get into the shape we want. But if we focus on our weight, we're fooling ourselves. Your weight isn't a good measure of your fitness, and dropping weight won't necessarily make you fitter.
Why Losing Weight Isn't the Key
Even health care professionals sometimes fail to draw a distinction between being overweight and carrying too much fat. Suppose that you and your identical twin go to the doctor for a physical. The doctor tells you both that you need to lose 20 pounds. Your conformist twin decides to concentrate on losing weight as fast as possible by going on one of the popular quick weight loss diets.
You on the other hand, know that there's a real difference between the numbers you see on the scale and how fit you are. So you decide to follow a different path. Instead of concentrating on losing weight, you start eating healthier, more nutritious meals. You also get serious about that workout program you've been saying you were going to start, and begin lifting weights and running regularly. Since you know the difference between losing weight and losing fat, you've decided to concentrate on reducing your body fat percentage, rather than freaking out over your exact weight.
After six months, the two of you go back to the doctor for another physical. They do all the usual medical stuff to you, then sit you down to talk about the results. Your twin is confident that they've finally outdone you at something, having lost even more than the 20 pounds the doctor suggested. You've only lost a few pounds, so things are looking bleak for you. However, the news the doctor gives you seems surprising. The doctor congratulates your twin on losing 20+ pounds, but tells them that the test results indicate they need to lose another 10 pounds or so. The doctor points out that you didn't lose the 20 you were supposed to, but your test results are now excellent and you don't need to lose anything more. What's up with that?
Losing Weight Isn't Nearly As Important As Losing Fat
The doctor gives you and your twin different instructions now because the numbers on the scale aren't the most important thing. Your twin's diet caused them to lose a good bit of body fat. But theylost muscle mass and water weight too, leaving their body fat percentage (the ratio of fat to lean tissue in their body) is almost unchanged. And look at them. They look skinnier than they used to, but they're still kind of flabby. They're also low on energy and generally don't look so good.
Your situation is totally different. Sure, you didn't lose the amount of weight the doctor recommended. But with all that exercise and healthy eating, you've added some muscle to your frame. 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.
Now look at you. You've only lost a few pounds. But you've added some muscle to your frame and lost a good bit of body fat. Your body fat percentage has improved a lot. And you don't look flabby anymore. Plus you're full of energy.
Make Sure You Remember The Difference
I hope you now understand why just focusing on weight loss is a losing proposition. This focus is a huge part of the reason why so many people get fit. If everyone were to concentrate on getting fit and losing fat, instead of watching some number on their bathroom scale, we would all be a lot fitter. Now you know the right thing to do. Just find yourself a quality fitness program and follow the instructions. The program will cause you to start eating better and exercising properly. Soon you'll start burning off your excess body fat and getting fit.
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