One can lose touch with reality whenever there is a disconnect between underlying occurrences and the result before one’s eyes. However, where there’s clarity, the avenue to build on the little progress that has been made – or seek a redress where necessary – is presented. And, when it comes to weight loss, having a grasp of all that plays out sets the tone to celebrate your little wins.

It is with that curtain-raiser that we now delve into the objective of this article wherein “weight loss mechanism” – simply put, what transpires during weight loss – is explored. The article is intended at helping appreciate your body better as you take those creditable strides towards achieving the shape you so desired. More so, it intimates the intricacies of weight loss – beyond suddenly having oversized pants or becoming more athletic.

How does the reduction come about?

A little over 66% of the weight lost during a weight loss routine comes from the fats that have been stored up in the body’s energy reserve over time. The (excess) energy, as you might have known, gets into the body as you consume calories. So, this energy is released – upon the breaking down of the stored fat by certain machinery within the body.

This takes place as you unswervingly live by the “consume fewer calories than you burn” rule while observing your weight loss plan. This is the idea behind weight loss triggered by dietary interventions. Essentially, the modification of your body shape becomes evident as the fat cells gradually reduce in size.

Furthermore, the incorporation of physical exercises into your weight loss routine can also speed up the breakdown of these excess fats. This comes on the back of increased blood flow to the fat cells and muscle. In other words, physical exercises raise the energy demand – and this is supplied by the stored fat. The study by Swift et al., however, revealed that it is only a significantly high level of exercise that can bring about notable weight loss outcomes.

Permit me to chip in here that it’s also possible to lose some other nutrients – like carbohydrates, proteins, etc – apart from fat. This usually occurs at the initial stage of the weight loss program. The loss of fat happens much later as you continually stick to the (weight loss) plan.

Away from the loss of fat [and other nutrients], the other major change that is observable in anyone experiencing weight loss is the loss of muscle. Specifically stating, a third of the weight shed in the process is due to muscle loss. Nonetheless, excessive loss of muscle – as perceptible with fast-paced weight loss – could lead to devastating health consequences. Therefore, you will need to exercise some care not to lose muscle excessively. A very good way to ensure this is by incorporating resistance training into your weight loss program.

And the other changes?

Still dwelling on what happens when you lose weight, let’s now see some of the changes that may accompany a healthy weight.

Quality sleep

Though it may not always look like it, weight loss routines are enablers of lifestyle changes. As a result of this, a person who has attained a healthy weight after religiously observing his or her routine will get to have good, quality sleep. The person will even be able to sleep for a longer duration, and this could translate to a healthy lifestyle.

Cooler feeling

Yeah, you may feel cool about your trim figure – after reaching your weight loss goals – but it goes beyond that. Let me explain further. The metabolic rate is usually high in overweight or obese individuals, and this is due to the increased level of thyroid hormone production. Thyroid hormone production level, however, drops as one loses weight, and this leads to the cool feeling – right from the inside.

Fresh burst of energy

You will certainly feel a new burst of energy after losing weight. Consequently, you will be more inclined to keep to your exercise routine. All these could ultimately ensure that you sustain the result for a long time to come, and your health becomes better for it.

Decreased risk of certain diseases

Diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, obesity, and diabetes to mention just a few have long been linked to weight gain. So, the risk of having these diseases is eventually lowered as you lose weight and keep to a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, weight loss also boosts the functioning of some vital organs like the kidneys, and heart. This occurs as the breakdown of the fat surrounding these organs is accelerated.

Flabby skin

Well, weight loss may not always guarantee trim and/or polish skin. The tendency of getting sagging or flabby skin is somewhat high after a successful weight loss program. This means you may need to get a cosmetic surgery protocol like abdominoplasty – which is otherwise known as a tummy tuck – or Botox to keep things in shape. Again, the wrinkles and folds that were once hidden while you’re overweight will become more obvious after you must have lost weight.

Increased hunger

Now, this is why it’s important not to rest on your oars after losing weight. The thing is that, with the shrinking of the fat cells, there is a higher inclination for you to become increasingly hungry. The reason for this is down to the increased production of a hunger-inducing hormone known as leptin. You must, however, keep this hunger pang in check as you may end up gaining weight in no time if you’re overcome by it. You can beat this by choosing a diet rich in fiber – which can leave you filled for a longer period. Veggies, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains should also be on your list of favorites.

Conclusion

Despite all that has been discussed in this article, you have to understand that weight loss could have varying effects on different individuals. Therefore, you should pay close attention to how your body is reacting to weight loss, and seek advice from a fitness professional when need be.

References

Muller MJ, Bosy-Westphal A, and Heymsfield SB. (2010). Is there evidence for a set point that regulates human body weight? F1000 Med Rep. 2: 59.

Swift DL, Johannsen NM, Lavie CJ, Earnest CP, and Church TS. (2014). The role of exercise and physical activity in weight loss and maintenance. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 56(4): 441 – 447.

Wilkinson DJ, Piasecki M, and Atherton PJ. (2018). The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function: Measurement and physiology of muscle fiber atrophy and muscle fiber loss in humans. Ageing Res Rev. 47: 123 – 132.

Westerterp KR. (2010). Physical activity, food intake, and body weight regulation: Insights from doubly labeled water studies. Nutr Rev. 68(3): 148 – 154.

Chang T, and Richardson CR. (2016). Fitness Vs. fatness: Which matters most?  https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/fitness-vs-fatness-which-matters-most