Think Fat Burning Workouts - Don't Forget to Challenge Your Body When Dieting

Losing weight and getting fit can seem to be a crazy pipe dream for many. In a mad rush to follow the next weight loss trend, many people forget to keep common sense into the mix. Now to be fair it is usually out of interest and enthusiasm for losing weight and sticking to a plan that most people seek out the next big thing. The problem is that the next big thing will let them down as much as the last great weight loss program. Why is that?

There is a basic process that must be followed by the average person when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off. Proper weight loss occurs on a cellular level. We tend to overlook that fact in favor of some major miracle pill or new program that will help us shed pounds fast. Our bodies are constantly in a state of breaking down and building up. Think of any bustling city in which the street is constantly being repaired when too many cars and trucks pound the avenues with potholes.

When we eat our bodies use the material for fuel and store what we don't use right away into its reserve tanks for a time when we will need it. If we stop working out our bodies go back to storing fuel. When we cut down on the fuel (diet) our bodies pay close attention to the trend and notice when fuel intake starts getting low. It then calculates how much fuel it should store in case the fuel supply continues to diminish. If there is no pressing need to use the existing supply but the fuel continues to come in short, it continues store fuel while using muscle mass as fuel along with fat stores.

We compromise our muscle mass when we dramatically cut calories without challenging our bodies. We can lose water and muscle faster than we can lose fat when the body flips into starvation mode. Our brain needs fat, and our body will protect our brain over our brawn to keep us alive. If we are to truly get fit and slim, we need to constantly challenge our bodies; especially when dieting.

Here are three essential tips to follow when embarking on a weight loss plan.
1. Calculate your fat loss percentage - Instead of thinking in pounds, think in percentages. Get a body fat measuring system. There are several types on the market from scales to calipers. Measure your body parts and keep a weekly or monthly chart of your neck, chest, bicep, waist, hips, thigh and calf. Always measure the same limb when updating the stats.

2. Differentiate between activity and exercise. A walk is an activity (unless you power walk) lifting weights or performing calisthenics is exercise. You should be able to push yourself a bit further with each session to get your cells to a point where they need to be repaired and reconstructed for more intense work. That is how our bodies get stronger.

3. Never eat less than 1,000 calories in 24 hours unless you are fasting and fast for no more than three days. Fasting can clean your digestive system but is not helpful for the metabolic functions. It is a terribly inefficient method of losing weight because muscle mass is compromised.

Keep those points in mind when you start your day and decide ahead of time if you are going to exercise or just perform various activities. Eat what you need to fuel your body for the day's activities and stay focused on burning body fat, not on losing weight. Have fun.

Dennis Morales Francis

I'm in my 50s and I've managed to shed 35 pounds of fat and kept it off. Here is a little more information on fat burning workouts and how they can help you get fit and trim.

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