Body shape is the prime factor in weight loss. Concentrating on your body shape will result in weight loss more effectively than actually concentrating on weight loss of itself.

When you finally decide that you wish to lose weight and achieve your desired body shape you firstly need to understand why you have become overweight in the first place.

A cynic would say that you should eat less and exercise more and in a very simplistic way that is true, but the secret to all knowledge is understanding.

There are a number of issues that need to be addressed and this series of posts will categorise those issues.

Low Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

When you have completed diets in the past you have trained your body to lower its (BMR).  Your body does not understand that the diet “famine” period is only short term – it only notices that your food intake is reduced.

As a consequence of this reduced intake your body will start to utilise its own lean tissue and muscle fibre.  This is because lean tissue and muscle USE energy.  Your body knows that the less lean tissue and muscle in your body, the less energy you will require.

The answer to this issue is to ensure that you maintain a level of resitance exercise throughout any diet period.

Resistance exercise is any exercise that involves a muscle working against an opposing force

The resistance exercises will ensure that your level of muscle and lean tissue is maintained through the period of your diet.

It also means that your diet period is more successful because the exercise will assist you to increase the deficit of your daily calorific consumption and usage balance.

Step one to successful weight loss is therefore to increase your BMR, particularly if you have completed a number of diets in the past.

It is essential to also remain positive in your thought processes.  Focus on what you wish to become, and less on where you are right now.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments box below, and if you have a specific weight loss question I would be delighted to assist.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net