Knowing the difference between fat loss and weight loss is extremely important if you hope to achieve your long-term goals. While the nuances themselves are subtle, they are quite profound. This is why using terms such as “losing weight” might not always be appropriate.
For instance, what type of weight are you hoping to shed? Are you concerned about cutaneous fat, or does water weight represent a particularly challenging demon to vanquish? Let us take a look at the finer points of this topic in order to draw a rational conclusion.
Weight Loss vs Fat Loss: The Basics
Our bodies are comprised of much more than fat alone. We are made from bone, connective tissue, muscle, and more than a dozen internal organs. It only stands to reason that the general term “weight loss” should be more clearly defined. Let us look at an example to cement this point.
Imagine for a moment that recently endured a tough bout of food poisoning. You were unable to eat solid substances for more than a week and as a result, you lost five kilograms. Was this a healthy type of body weight to lose? Not necessarily.
Although you certainly trimmed down in terms of fat, the chances are high that a certain amount of muscle was also sacrificed during the course of your illness. In severe cases, the skin can even become flaccid due to a loss of connective tissue. This can present very real issues for the body, and your health may even be placed in jeopardy. This is why individuals who suffer from anorexia and bulimia will often require professional assistance.
In other words, the blanket terms weight loss and fat loss are not necessarily interchangeable.
Water Weight Loss vs Fat Loss
Another topic to address involves the differences between losing water weight and fat loss. Our bodies are comprised of (roughly) 60 per cent water by mass. Water is essential for life and in the event that we become extremely dehydrated, our health could very well be placed at risk.
Still, some of us carry excess water weight. This is the reason why saunas are attractive; they help us to reduce this volume through the process of sweating. However, it is actually quite rare to lose fat in such a manner. Even if we do manage to reduce our water weight, this tends to be a transient scenario. Consuming foods high in salt can once again cause us to retain excess water. So, there is a very real difference between water weight loss and reducing body fat.
Is it Possible to Lose Fat Without Losing Weight?
When discussing the difference between weight loss and fat loss, another subject should be examined. There may be times when you are training extremely hard, and you begin to notice that your body has become more toned. However, the scale shows no difference in terms of kilograms. What is happening here?
Let’s remember that exercising will also contribute to the development of lean body mass. As muscle is naturally denser than fat, you could essentially be “breaking even” in terms of body weight. So, do not interpret your results based on readings taken from a scale alone.
The Fat Loss Cycle
Will fat loss occur first, or will you begin to notice a drop in aggregate weight? In some cases, you may lose water weight during high-intensity training sessions. The body will simultaneously burn fat as a form of energy once your supply of carbohydrates has become depleted. In the event that there is no more fat to metabolize, the body begins to source its energy from muscle fibers. This is why taking a high-quality protein supplement is often recommended.
Taking Things in Stride
Summarily, you should always focus your efforts around losing body fat as opposed to weight in general. After all, there is no reason to sacrifice lean muscle mass! Dietary habits and the number of calories you consume play equally important roles. This is why many individuals have opted for the Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon. Thanks to modern engineering, this intuitive device will stop hunger pangs in their tracks while also limiting the amount of food that you can eat at any given time.
Appreciating the difference between weight loss and fat loss is the best way to make the most out of your next training session, while also ensuring that you remain healthy along every step of the way.
