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Designing a fitness program for weight loss can be deceiving. Most people do not understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss, so they are therefore at a disadvantage for reaping permanent benefit from their fitness program.

More commonly, people are beginning to monitor body fat percentage instead of just weight. Body fat percentage determines the amount of fat free mass (muscle, bone, ligament, etc.) versus the amount of fat mass. This ratio ultimately determines your metabolism, so a change in your muscle:fat ratio will lead to an increase in metabolism, thereby helping you lose weight.

It is all too often that prospective clients come to me upset about the number they see on the scale. The truth is, there is a such thing as “skinny fat people,” and “thin, heavy people.” The American Heart Association continues to emphasize the importance of BMI (body mass index), and this is important for heart health, as well as stress attenuation for the human body. However, the body’s ability to function optimally also lies in its ability to maneuver effortlessly.

An imbalanced body, or body with too much fat mass, is constantly at a disadvantage. Imbalances in muscle to fat lead to overworking of cardiac muscles, as well as undernourishment of surrounding musculature. If, on the other hand, you are able to increase your leg strength, you will be assisting your venous system to pump blood back to the heart, allowing more rest for your body’s most important muscle. Allowing your heart to work less leads to decreased stress on the entire cardiovascular system.

Most diets are problematic when it comes to improving cardiovascular function for optimal health. By restricting calories, eliminating essential nutrients for optimal function of the body, and increasing exercise load, you are teaching your body to react to a feeling of starvation. Naturally, your metabolism will fall over time, as you deplete your body of the muscle it needs. Depletion, or atrophy, of muscle leads to a lower muscle to fat ratio, causing a lower metabolism. Weight gain is only a matter of time in these circumstances.

Through the proper nourishment and a guided exercise program, this is not necessary. It’s important to speak with your doctor, physical therapist, or personal trainer to discuss the correct ratios of nutrients, as well as the appropriate exercise prescription before trying to lose weight. It may turn out that you have set yourself up for failure if you’re not careful.

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