Weight Loss

Weight Loss According to Body Type?

Healthy weight loss should be the goal for anyone who has to lose some of those unwanted pounds. There are so many different plans, diets and schemes that many people really don’t know which way to turn when it comes to weight loss, let alone healthy weight loss. However, information is certainly available if one will take the time to search it out.

We all know that people lose or gain weight at different rates. We are all unique individuals and just as we have different talents and different attitudes so we also have different body types. Your body type is a scientific classification of your overall body shape, and and it is determined by a combination of certain physical characteristics. Your genes determine your body type therefore, your body shape will develop from birth to adulthood. Body types can never be changed and no matter what type you possess, you can still achieve weight loss relatively quickly with the correct choices of food and tactics for weight loss or weight control.

I’m sure that many, if not most, people don’t even consider their body type as they embark on a weight loss plan. There are three basic body types for male and female are: Endomorph, Ectomorph and Mesomorph. Endomorphs: The naturally big boned person characterized with a round face, a soft and flabby body in general, wide hips, bigger waist, slow metabolism and high number of fat cells. This type usually finds weight loss a constant struggle. Ectomorphs: The skinny person with a linear appearance, small muscles, ultra fast metabolism, low body fat, narrow shoulders, hips and waist. Doesn’t usually have to worry about weight loss. Mesomorphs: The naturally muscular person with wide shoulders, small waist, athletic build, low body fat percentage with an increase metabolism.

How important is knowing our body type in planning a healthy weight loss plan? Doe sit really play a significant role? Regardless of our body type, if we want to achieve weight loss we need to create a negative energy balance or a calorie deficit. The number of calories we cut from our intake needs to be sufficient enough in order to see some results fairly quickly. So if we begin a new diet by cutting our calorie intake by about 500 per day we will lose weight over the course of a week or two. However just cutting calories is now not deemed to be a sensible way to approach weight loss.

Anyone who had tried to lose weight certainly knows the role of the mighty calorie. So what happens to our bodies when we choose to cut calories? During a calorie deficit our bodies still require the same amount of energy so they start to use up energy stores to make up for this 500 calorie deficit. However, as our bodies inevitably use up extra proteins for energy AND to maintain normal protein synthesis, we end up with a net loss of total protein. This results in a gradual loss of lean muscle, and this is the start of a lowered metabolism and consequently a slower weight loss.

When we lose weight, sometimes what we see on the outside does not reflect what is taking place on the inside. Muscle loss may not be obvious when looking in the mirror because the body will take it from other, less priority areas and not just from our skeletal muscles. The stomach is a classic area where protein is broken down for use, as there’s less need for a large stomach capacity because we have lowered our food intake. Ever noticed how we can no longer eat those big meals we once used to eat before dieting? It would appear therefore that although you may need to cut down on the amount of food you it is vitally important you don’t drastically cut your calories as you may be doing your body and your weight loss more harm than good. Take the time to learn about healthy weight loss.

Jackie Whalen

Make Healthy Choices