Body composition is the single best way to track your results when you’re trying to lose fat. Why? because people sometimes cut calories too much when they start an exercise program and may lose muscle in the process. Having a tool such as a Dexogram, Calipers, Hydrostatic, Bioimpedance and what we use in our personal training business is Ultrasound to track how much muscle & how much fat our clients have. All of the aforementioned ways have their pluses and minuses. But it’s important to use a tool to track Body Composition. Consider it a form of navigation. You have to know if you’re headed in the right direction. If not, you have to make a course correction based on the results. For example, as I mentioned in the beginning if too many calories are cut you may lose muscle. Increasing protein or good fat intake may allow the body to burn excess fat stores while keeping (or even gaining) precious muscle.
Furthermore, I have personally seen clients rely too much on the scale too and only focusing on weight…Big Mistake. Why? Here’s true to life examples….Time and time again I have had clients step on the scale and it indicates that they only lost 2lbs in 30 days. Instantly, they are frustrated and I tell them to wait until all measurements are complete. Sure enough, after doing their body composition and inch measurements they may have gained 3 lbs of muscle and lost 5lbs of fat while losing inches explaining the only 2lb weight scale difference. It happens all the time.
The Bottom Line: Utilize a Body Composition tool system and focus on what you’re made of and not what you weigh. Over a period of 6 months – to a year dependent on goals, I’ve seen clients lose 20lbs of fat while gaining as much as 12lbs of muscle which leads to lower body fat, more metabolic muscle, firmer body, more strength, lower blood pressure, increased energy, better cholesterol, improved blood sugar, and most importantly…..a New Body!
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