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Everything you need to know about body fat

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Fat can lead to a number of body issues for anyone, regardless of their age, sex, nationality and other individualizing factors. However, while many people understand that body fat is not an altogether positive thing, it can be very difficult to get rid of the body fat and keep it off. By understanding more about body fat; anyone who is suffering overweight issue can be more likely to be successful in getting rid of and keeping off excessive body fat.


By understanding one‟s own body composition, it is possible to distinguish muscle from fat. Muscles are good and we want to keep as much of our muscle makeup as possible. Body fat is more expendable and this is what people want to get rid of when they are trying to get into shape. Excessive body fat can lead to a number of negative things, such as a poor sense of self-image and even long term damage on the body if the extra fat creates too much of a burden for the body.
Something that can add to the confusion of many people trying to learn about body fat is that there is good fat and bad fat. When it comes to men, less fat on their bodies most likely means an improved sense of health. Men can vary in range when it comes to body fat and the averages lie between fifteen and twenty five percent. However, having a body fat percentage of thirty percent or more is typically not healthy.


Body fat percentages for women are different. Women have extra amounts of fat on their body in order to, among other purposes; help keep the body cocooned and safe if it is carrying a baby. Since the baby is important not only in terms of the individuals, but in evolutionary terms instead, the ideal body fat percentage for a women ranges from twenty to twenty five percent.
Prior to hitting adolescents, a young lady will typically have a body fat percentage of approximately twelve to fifteen percent. However, this number will change after she hits puberty and her body begins to grow within the evolutionary terms that would assist her in keeping her body, and any baby she might be carrying, safe. As a woman gets older, it is likely that she will continue to climb in the percentage of body fat that is found on or within her body. As with men, most women should try to limit their body fat percentage to less than thirty percent.


Measuring the body fat of an individual is very important in creating a realistic picture of the individual, as well as a good idea about the estimated health of the individual. Knowing a person‟s body fat percentage is actually more important than counting calories. This is because some calories can be converted into muscle and other useful makeup within the body.
By measuring one‟s waistline, a person can determine whether or not they are healthy. If they have their body fat percentage under control, the individual will have a waistline of less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men.


Weight Loss Attitude
You see the razor-thin models gracing the covers of magazines; you watch actors and actresses on the big screen who seem to never gain a pound. And you wonder: How do I differ from them? You may be surprised to learn that a number of famous people at one time had difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. But they were able to conquer their problem, thanks to a new-and-improved, healthy view of eating.
You may not realize it, but there is a certain psychology at work in successful weight loss. It is no surprise, then, that the magazine Psychology Today has explored the issue in-depth. In October of 2004, the magazine posted an article on its website detailing the experiences of Diane Berry, a nurse practitioner who studied women who had shed at least 15 pounds and had maintained their weight loss for an average of seven years.


The women shared some important things in common. For instance, they all achieved their weight loss through either Weight Watchers or TOPS, which meant that they had a firm support network as they tried to maintain their weight. The group meetings were highly important, because they learned to recognize that they were certainly not alone in their struggles with weight. The women were also quite unusual because up to 90 percent of individuals who have lost weight end up putting it back on within five years.


Another common trait of these women is that they appeared to undergo a profound mood shift as they made the transition from fat to thin. From all indications, they appeared to be depressed when they were heavy but, as they attempted to lose weight, their mood brightened.
For these women, healthy eating became a habit; a habit they refused to break. They themselves recognized the tremendous role that psychology plays in weight loss. They refused to give in to negative feelings of frustration and denial and chose a positive path instead. The women also made it a point to weigh their body regularly so that they could chart their progress.


And they recognized that maintaining weight loss would be a lifetime struggle. They knew that they could not attempt a weight loss program then put it back on the shelf. They had to learn new eating patterns that they could continue week in and week out. In some cases, they likened their struggle to that of an alcoholic. In other words, they recognized the gravity of their problem and took steps to correct the situation.


Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these women‟s experiences was the fact that their weight loss actually came in spurts. At times, they regained their weight, but they did not let that deter them from their final goal. They simply viewed their setbacks as challenges that they needed to overcome. This may be the key psychological trait that separates successful dieters from unsuccessful ones with perseverance. In essence, these women were able to change their personalities in a positive way in order to achieve their long-term weight loss goals.


Another interesting aspect of this study was that it showed that the women who had undergone weight loss transformation were genuinely happy. This shows the tremendous psychological impact that weight loss can have on an individual. Once an individual is free from the burden of extra weight, he or she is better able to meet the challenges of life head-on. The dieter benefits from positive reinforcement, as relatives, friends, and co-workers congratulate him or her for the weight loss. In this way, losing weight can be quite a life-affirming experience and can lead to a more optimistic outlook on life.


It must be noted here that the psychology of weight loss is a complicated matter. There is no single ingredient that can turn a fat person into a thin one. However, recognizing that there is a psychological component to successful weight loss may, in fact, be half the battle. Once an individual recognizes that he or she is engaged in a psychological fight, he or she is better able to do battle. By retraining oneself to seek healthy approaches to diet, one can, in effect, mold oneself into a new individual; one that no longer lives to eat, but simply eats to live.


Setting Your Goals for Losing Weight in Long Term
Weight gain happens over a period of time and cannot be lost in days as it was not gained that way. So, even though there are many ways that you can go about losing weight, you will want to make sure that it is a method that ensures you will keep the pounds off.
As a general rule, weight is gained by making choices in your diet that are not very good for you. Typically, you can calculate how many calories you need daily and if you work towards staying as close to that number as possible your fat less apt to struggle with your weight.
If however you decide to forego eating sensibly and give into all your cravings, you‟re bound to see yourself gaining weight. This can happen slowly over time but you can be sure that you will see it happen

If you want to lose pounds and keep the weight off for the rest of your life, it is really important that you set goals and stick to them the best that you can. Setting goals is an essential key to successful weight loss.
You need to keep in mind that especially if you have a large amount of weight to lose that it is not going to happen overnight. As a general rule, doctors say that to lose weight in a healthy manner you should shed about six pounds each month. Bear this in mind when you set your weight loss goals and aim for a goal that you can reach with ease, perhaps five pounds each month.
To keep the weight you lose off of your body permanently, you will need to alter your lifestyle and the way that you eat. Although cutting down on food can help, if everything you consume is high in calories, you are far less apt to notice and improvement.
Eating healthy and taking in large amounts of fruit, grains and vegetables will satisfy your hunger and allow you to shed pounds at the same time. Eating healthier, will not only rid your body of excess weight, it will also allow you to have an overall life that is healthier. You will notice your body thriving due to the excess of vitamins and minerals that healthy foods introduce to your system.


Even though you will always be subject to a certain amount of temptation, when you set goals for yourself, you will have a stronger will to resist the pull of high calorie indulgences.
Eating healthy does not mean that you have to rid your diet of deserts; there are many healthy treat choices if you look. Also, if you have been sticking to your diet very well, now and again you can give in and have a high calorie snack.


It is actually more beneficial to allow yourself a treat now and again. This way, you are less apt to completely give up on your diet. A small bite of something high in fat is far better than saying no to your diet and eating the whole thing and ruining everything that you have worked towards.
When you set your goals, allow yourself some rewards. When you achieve a goal that you set, allow yourself a reward for your hard work. By rewarding yourself, you are offering even more encouragement to stick to your new way of life. Consider buying yourself a new outfit or indulge in a massage, your effort is worth it.


You will also need to bring exercise into your life if you want to keep your weight loss as a permanent fixture in your future. Eating smaller portions of healthy food and exercising regularly is the best way to keep the pounds from returning.
When you are fit and healthy, you burn off more calories and feel more like continuing the effort needed to lose weight. It will not always be easy to keep up with your healthy life, but goals will allow you something to meet.
Within a few months of eating well and exercising on a regular basis, you are bound to notice results that will stay with you as long as you put forth the needed work.

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