The Weighty Matter
When you step on the scale in the mornings what do you see? How do you interpret that NUMBER?
Some people see the scale as THE ANSWER to how we are progressing, lets face it people we get on it and if we see we have lost some weight we get much more confidence right? But if we gain we get upset, if we stay the same we feel good that we have not gained or lost.
We must focus on a term called "lean body mass" and body fat percentage. Let me explain what lean body mass is, it's simply the sum of the weight of our bones, muscles and organs... basically the sum of everything other than fat in your body. Our body fat percentage is just that it's the percentage of body fat we have on our bodies.
So saying the above we need to ask ourselves this, if this is what we need to track to see our progress in a better picture why doesn't measuring body weight do the job? Well to be honest our habits are our best progress reporters, when you step on that scale and have gained a few pounds ask your self these questions.
Have I been eating healthy consistently?
Have I been doing aerobic exercise consistently?
Have I been doing strength training consistently?
If all of these questions have been answered and your answers are YES to all of them, rest assured that you're on the right track to a lean body for life.
What is happening is you are creating more muscle mass thus getting leaner as a result your lean body mass increases and your body fat percentage lowers over time.
The focus should not be on body weight. Instead focus on creating good healthy habits, check your lean body mass, body fat percentage and the consistency of your exercise habits.
A measurement routine would be as follows: body weight measurement, body fat % reading, waist measurement and lean body mass calculation, these should be done every 2 weeks or better yet on a monthly basis.
Below is a lean body mass formula to calculate your lean body mass
- Let's say you're a 130 pound woman with 23% body fat
- Initial body fat: 130 pounds x 0.23 fat = 30 pounds of body fat
- Lean body mass: 130 pounds total - 30 pounds of fat = 100 pounds of lean body mass
Doing this will assure you a healthier, leaner body and ultimately help you achieve a healthier body weight over time.
Below are some guidelines on body fat percentages we should aim for.
Body fat percentage standards: For women, 15 to 20 percent is considered lean, 20 to 25 percent is normal, 26 to 32 percent is overfat and 33 percent or higher is obese. For men, 8 to 12 percent is considered lean, 13 to 19 percent is normal, 20 to 24 percent is over fat and 25 percent or higher is obese.
There is a message to all of you thin people, dieting without strength training can leave you with a high body fat percentage. It's possible to appear thin, but have a high percentage of body fat, in this case your are considered to be a thin fat person and I think no one wants that right?
Happy Strength Training Everyone!
Related Tags: fitness, health, obesity, exercise, nutrition, change, fat, weight, growth, choices, positive, eat, overeat
Nelson Roque is a Fitness/Body Mind Weight Loss Mentor who has lost 86lbs; he is also a sports nutritionist who focuses on total body well-being.
For more information please visit the following websites for daily inspiration and motivation to get your journey of a healthy active lifestyle started.
www.theweightingroom.com
If you have any questions, concerns or need help with getting motivated / inspired you may contact me at nelson@theweightingroom.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Understanding Body Types And How They Affect Your Weight Loss Efforts
When you are trying to lose weight, the typical advice of changing your diet and getting more exerci - Is Liposuction The Answer?
While it is one thing to consider liposuction, it is totally different to actually beginning the pro - A Discussion On Liposuction
Cosmetic surgery immediately throws up a number of images. Be it trout pouts, oversized breasts or a - Do Calorie Shifting Diets Work?
Calorie shifting diets are interesting in that you are not on a strict diet every day. You get to ea - Biggest Loser Australia- Stay Within Bmi That Says You Are Healthy Not Obese
Obesity has increased to manifolds and has become a serious weight problem. A lot many people die th - Mike Geary Review - The Man Who Designed The Truth About Six Pack Abs
If you are searching for a weight loss program that gives off the best results, you must look for a - Isabel De Los Rios Review - Can Her Diet Solution Program Be The Answer To Your Problems?
The world offers many temptations in the areas of living a strong life and it has become a problem f - Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review - Is It Really That Easy?
A lot of people want an easy weight loss plan that's effective and uncomplicated. And who wouldn't? - Joel Marion Review - Why You Won't Quit The Xtreme Fat Loss Diet
Giving up or quitting is an entertained notion when you're losing weight. It's very common for peopl - Weight Loss Tips - Discover Your Unique Body Type (and Shape) To Start Targeting The Problem Areas
There are three different body types.1) EndomorphsThese are people who tend to have bigger bones tha
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Reduce Weight With Didrex
What is it that comes to your mind when you think of losing weight? Is it that grueling exercise or - Facts Regarding Hoodia
South African Bushmen for thousands of years uses this flowering plant that looks like a cactus plan - Things you Should Know Before you Buy Adipex Online
Nowadays, online shopping is growing at a rate not observed earlier. The ease in which one can buy a - Sharp You're Axe With Phentermine Before Conquering Obesity
'If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I would spend first four hours in sharpening my axe' this i - Are There Really Effective Weight Loss Supplements?
The overweight are always looking for ways to help improve the success of their weight loss efforts. - How to Get Rid of Belly Fat
How to get rid of belly fat is a question that many people wonder to themselves quite often, many pe - Phendimetrazine: Answer to your Weight Loss Concern
Coping with obesity is not an easy task. Obesity makes you the butt of jokes, entices physical agony - Weight Loss Hypnosis - The Truth About Why It Works
The word hypnosis never fails to conjure up images of something mysterious, shady or even downright - Losing Weight Through Acupuncture
These days, there are many kinds of diets and methods for weight loss. Some may be healthy for you - Liposuction / Liposculpture
Life is a gift given to us by the Creator that we should cherish. And being one of God's creation, w