Body Fat Versus Body Weight – What You Must Remember

Published: Tue, 05/01/12

Hi ,

As you go about your diet and workout program, it's important that you make sure to monitor your progress. For most people, this comes with a daily weigh-in. Since losing body weight is one of the most common goals for most people, they monitor that number on the scale very intensely.

If it's moving downwards, they're happy and motivated to continue on. If it's not moving downwards, they're frustrated and ready to throw in the towel.

But what few people realize is that the scale may not be the best measurement device at all.

In fact, you might want to avoid the scale if you want to see optimal progress.

Let's look at the main difference between body weight and body fat so you can get the full picture.

The Difference

First it's vital that you understand the difference between body weight and body fat level. Your body weight represents your total body mass. Basically, fat and muscle combined. When you lose weight, it doesn't tell you whether that weight lost is fat mass or muscle mass - just that you lost weight.

Why Body Fat Is More Important

On the other hand though, getting a body fat test is a far wiser strategy because this will indicate whether you are in fact losing body fat. Since that is the form of tissue that you really want to be losing here, it's what you must focus on.

If you're losing muscle, not fat, you really aren't making progress. If you're gaining muscle, not body fat, you are. This is how the regular scale misleads you.

How Often To Measure

So start looking at body fat measurements instead. Get them checked out once every 3-4 weeks as this is about how long it takes to see a noticeable difference and you will be on a much better path to staying motivated and seeing true success.