May 08
Genetics. Where there is good reason to suspect a genetic influence on obesity, it is reasonable to suspect that the fat loss response to exercise will be blunted in comparison with the non-obese. Generic influences probably mean a reduced level of fat utilisation at a given exercise intensity meaning that a greater total amount, and [...] [...more]
Posted: under Weight Loss.
Genetics. Where there is good reason to suspect a genetic influence on obesity, it is reasonable to suspect that the fat loss response to exercise will be blunted in comparison with the non-obese. Generic influences probably mean a reduced level of fat utilisation at a given exercise intensity meaning that a greater total amount, and greater attention to the type of energy intake, is required.
Race. Although not yet widely studied, differences in body fat distribution, muscle fibre type, and fat oxidation rates between different ethnic and racial groups could be expected to have an impact on exercise effects between groups. For example, the higher level of glycolytic fast twitch’ muscle fibre in negroid people and American Indians, which is known to be associated with higher levels of body fatness, could influence the exercise parameters required for optimal fat loss in these racial groups, although the most appropriate approaches are not yet known. Until more research confirms these proposals, the general principle of increased energy expenditure for fat loss is all that can be recommended.
Myth-information. It is often assumed that mates and females should lose fat at the same rate through physical activity. This is not so. Exercise appears to be not as effective for fat loss in most women as it is in men.
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May 08
Because of its efficiency as an energy store, fat has traditionally had great survival value in humans. This has been shown many times in survival situations such as shipwrecks or plane crashes. The person with the higher percentage of body fat is more likely to survive under conditions of food deprivation.
The higher percentage of body [...] [...more]
Posted: under Weight Loss.
Because of its efficiency as an energy store, fat has traditionally had great survival value in humans. This has been shown many times in survival situations such as shipwrecks or plane crashes. The person with the higher percentage of body fat is more likely to survive under conditions of food deprivation.
The higher percentage of body fat in (pre-menopausal) females serves the biological function of helping to preserve the species in situations of famine. If women lose too much fat they become amenorrhoeic (don’t ovulate and therefore do not have periods) and thus are not able to conceive.
Fat is the highest source of food energy that can be obtained (9kcal/g compared with 4.5kcal/g for carbohydrate or protein), so fatty foods would have had survival value in a hunter-gatherer
environment. According to Professor Kerin O’Dea from Deakin University this may explain our taste for ratty foods which still persists today. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), there is now no shortage of available fat, particularly from processed foods. There is also no need to expend so much energy (and therefore ‘burn off fat) by having to chase our food. So, for the first time in human history, people can overindulge their biological liking for fat, under-indulge their physical activity requirements—and get fat in the process.
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Apr 23
While aerobic exercise revs up your metabolism and improves your level of fitness, it’s strength training that builds muscle. That’s important because the more muscle you have, the higher the rate at which your body burns calories. What’s more, muscle burns more calories round the clock, even when you’re curled up on the couch reading [...] [...more]
Posted: under Weight Loss.
While aerobic exercise revs up your metabolism and improves your level of fitness, it’s strength training that builds muscle. That’s important because the more muscle you have, the higher the rate at which your body burns calories. What’s more, muscle burns more calories round the clock, even when you’re curled up on the couch reading a good book.
Can’t imagine yourself walking into a gym and inquiring where you might find the weight room? Then do a simple but effective strength-training program in your own home, using hand weights or even soup cans. Still, you may want to consult a personal trainer, who can teach you a routine as well as proper form.
A15- to 20-minute session, 2 or 3 days a week, is all the strength training that you need to build muscle and develop a sleeker, firmer appearance. And you’ll see results in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. You’ll feel stronger and more confident. Your clothes will fit better. Your belly will be flatter; your arms and legs, more toned and shapely.
So go ahead and start lifting. You’ll love what you see—and how you feel.
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