The Skinny on Burning Body Fat
If you’re trying to slim down for health reasons or want to fit back into that pair of jeans that probably just shrunk in the wash, you’ll need a little scientific know-how, patience, and a side of body positivity.
But before you can burn those jiggly bits, you need to first understand them.
Men are from Mars, women are from Venus…
And the differences extend to how our bodies store, process, and burn fat.
What’s a healthy body fat percentage?
For women it’s thought to be somewhere between 21 to 35 percent.
For men, this sweet spot falls somewhere between 8 to 24 percent.
Other factors matter too, like age, lifestyle, and body type.
The Tropical Secret for Healty Weight Loss Know more
Little-to-no fat is little-to-no good
Having too little body fat can be just as dangerous as having too much. Your body needs a certain level of “essential fat” in order to function optimally.
This means maintaining a minimum body fat percentage between 10 to 13 percent for women and 2 to 5 percent for men. Falling below that can cause a bunch of unpleasantness, including:
- vitamin deficiencies
- increased risk of heart disease
- nervous system damage
- a weakened immune system
- diabetes
- fertility issues
Without body fat, your body may even start to break down muscle, which can make you feel weak and tired.
So how much fat is on me?
There are many ways to measure body fat percentage. Some are simple and affordable, while others are a little more pricey and may not be super accurate.
Some different ways to measure body fat include:
- skinfold calipers
- hydrostatic weighing
- dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
- body circumference measuring
For the most accurate body fat measurement, turn to a doctor or trainer. Weight and size charts aren’t one-size-fits-all, as they don’t consider key factors for a person’s overall health. And health is what matters most.
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