Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

Did you know that there’s a difference between fat loss and weight loss? Many focus on losing weight, which is great, but losing fat is just as important.

Weight loss consists of lowering your body weight—the sum weight of your muscles, organs, body fat, bones, etc. Fat loss is lowering your amount of body fat—the amount of fat your body carries.

Visceral fat, also known as “active fat,” is stored in a person’s abdominal cavity and is close to many vital organs. A higher rate of visceral fat can have health-related consequences, like type 2 diabetes, a stroke, and heart disease, and fat loss can help prevent these.

One way to determine if you how much visceral fat you’re carrying is to measure your waist. Women with a waist measuring 35 inches or more, and men with a waist measuring 40 inches or more might have an increased risk of developing visceral fat-related health problems.

So how do I attain fat loss?

A fat loss plan made just for you is the first step in losing fat and decreasing your chance of a heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. The plan will include exercise, dieting, and reducing the stress in your life, and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Exercise is one way to reduce visceral fat, and exercise plans should include cardiovascular exercise, like running and swimming, and strength training, like weights and squats. Maintaining muscle, burning fat, and sticking to a diet can help your fat loss and build your strength.

Additionally, your amount of stress and diet can affect visceral fat. This is because when someone is stressed, their body releases a hormone called cortisol, which increases how much visceral fat a person’s body stores. Some doctors recommend that people with high levels of visceral fat try to reduce their stress levels. A healthy diet consisting of lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates can help people lose visceral fat.

Personal Primary Care can create a personalized fat loss plan for patients looking to lose visceral fat and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Deciding to lose weight and lose fat will reduce your risk of serious health problems and help you get your energy back. We’ll use you medical history, family medical history, diet, amount of exercise, and more to design a custom fat loss plan.

Personal Primary Care works with patients looking to start fat loss programs in Western MA, including Springfield MA, Chicopee MA, and Holyoke MA, and Northern CT.