Your Bodyfat, Friend or Foe?

Did you know the fat on your body; your belly, hips, back is really stored energy?! What if we changed our perception of our flabby parts and started viewing them as a possible ally with our fat loss efforts. What if instead of you thinking of yourself as fat, you looked at yourself as someone who has a storehouse of energy ready to be released?  According to researchers, the body’s propensity for fat storage was a safety mechanism in case of famine as food wasn’t as readily available as it is in this day and age. Food production is one of the biggest ways America’s economy is boosted and the average American household isn’t in danger of facing a famine. Honestly most Americans are eating way too much as many do not have a need for the amounts of food being consumed. Unless one is an endurance athlete their eating habits are probably adding to already overloaded fat reserves.

Now that we understand that fat is simply stored energy and how our body begins to store fat, let’s discuss how we can change your perspective about the extra padding you’re walking around with as well as simple tips to release the fat once and for all.

 When fat is consumed one of two things occurs; it’s either used as energy or stored for future use. If we overeat and live an inactive lifestyle we are positioning ourselves to store more fat making it even more difficult to lose weight.

Next time instead of dragging yourself for your body not looking a certain way, give thanks that you have untapped reserves of energy in your body waiting on standby to be used.  Matter of fact next time you start calling yourself fat or thinking of yourself in that way, affirm the following.

“With every breath I take and every move I make, my body is burning fat and creating electrical energy.”

Another way we can raise our vibration enough to gain momentum towards change is to look at how our fat has promoted perseverance. How many of us (me included) have been on countless fad diets, pills, and gimmicks just to find we haven’t lost a pound but gained more frustration. However how many of us still are on the search for “that thing” to help us lose the weight and keep the weight off for good? There is no way around eating a healthy balanced diet and exercising for the rest of your life to keep the weight off, maintain your health and youth. Instead of looking at your past efforts as time wasted look at your fat loss journey as one that you can build upon. You now know what doesn’t work. You also have gained much grit and proven that you have the stick-to-itiveness to truly get the job done.

Now that we’ve established that you are this beautiful energetic being, that you really are a warrior because you haven’t given up yet and you know how the body stores fat, the question is what can you do right now to start tapping into these energy reserves? Let’s talk about it.

1-Eat a balanced diet- I know this sounds so cliché’ and like every fitness magazine, expert or clinician has said it over and over again. There however is reason why this is so. Most people don’t truly understand what is meant by the term balanced diet. A balanced diet is one that has the appropriate amount of carbs, fats and proteins. Depending on the individual; their current health and goals this can vary. To keep it simple for fat loss one’s diet should ideally consist of 35% lean protein (lean cuts of meat and for vegans lentils, legumes, etc.)  A fat loss meal plan should also consist of 25% healthy complex carbs such as whole grains, leafy veggies and fruits and 40% healthy fats. Healthy fats include nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil and flaxseed.

2- Do not overeat! – Especially do not overindulge in fatty meats, sugary junk foods, white foods and foods high in trans-fats. Food calories are energy; more has to go out then come in for you to start seeing a difference in your waistline. Remember we don’t want to add to our reserves, our body has to be experiencing a deficit through smaller amounts of calories going in and more energy going out (exercise).

3- Exercise regularly & more intensely- If you do not exercise began to do so now. If you’re completely sedentary even brisk walking 3 times a week will yield positive results. In order to get to those energy reserves mentioned above oxygen is needed. We take in excess oxygen when we’re moving our body! If you already exercise really ask yourself can you ramp it up a bit? Try to do two more extra sets or do 5 extra minutes on the treadmill.  It may feel a little uncomfortable at first but you will thank yourself later. There is no way for your exercise level to increase if you don’t challenge yourself.

Slow and steady wins the race. Remember even when you reach your goal you will have to maintain it. There isn’t a drug on the planet that can compete with clean eating and exercising. The above things will get that stored fat releasing!!

Let’s go, let’s grow!

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