How does weight loss happen? Weight loss occurs when there is a negative calorie balance, meaning your weight will decrease when you move more and eat less (but healthily!)
Weight gain, on the other hand, results from a positive calorie balance due to excess food intake and reduced activity. Weight gain is often seen as a matter of willpower, but it’s considered a chronic condition influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.
The body has a “set point” for weight; when weight is lost, physiological responses can make further weight loss more challenging, and weight gain can occur as a natural compensatory response. Genetics, age, hormonal changes, and lifestyle play significant roles in weight gain and loss.
Individual genetic makeup affects the risk of obesity, and as people age, they tend to gain weight more easily despite their efforts to maintain weight. Weight loss efforts are more effective with proper dietary management, as physical activity alone may not be sufficient. Did you know that aerobic exercises such as jogging and swimming can make you lose more weight than if you carried weights?
Obesity is characterised by the accumulation of subcutaneous fat, which is easier to feel, and visceral fat, which is more harmful to your health (and mortality). Losing weight can help reduce the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
In my podcast, we address frequently asked questions about weight loss, including:
- Are all calories equal?
- Does skipping breakfast help me lose weight faster?
- Do certain foods help burn fat?
- Is eating less and moving more the best way to lose weight?
- Does consuming fat (like avocado or butter) make you gain weight?
- Are healthier foods more expensive?
- Does drinking water aid in weight loss?
- Are high-protein diets the best option?
- Is weight loss always a linear process?
