The Fiction and Facts About How to Get Rid of Fat

If you’re anything like the normal American, fat seems to be always on your mind – how to get rid of the fat you have and how to keep from gaining anymore. It would have been nice to have evolved out of fat storage by now, but since we haven’t and since belly fat can be one of the worst things for your health, it’s time to sort through all the fat burning tips and tricks to find the truth.

Fiction: It’s all about exercise.

Fact: While exercise sure is good for burning fat, it’s not nearly the whole picture. In fact, too much of the wrong kind of exercise can train your body to cling even tighter to that flab. According to some recent studies, your diet has more to do with how much fat you have accumulated than exercise. It’s easier to not overeat in the first place than it is to burn off the excess stored fat. Exercise is a great way to keep muscle tone, improve cardiovascular health and even prevent disease, but if you’re trying to shed some poundage, turn most of your attention to your plate, not the gym.

Fiction: If I could just stop eating that one food (potato chips, pizza, ice cream…you fill in the blank), the weight would just slip right off.

Fact: Unless you’re eating potato chips and only potato chips every meal of every day, don’t put all the blame on potato chips. There are almost always a myriad of lifestyle choices and factors that add up to give you your current body.  These factors include portion size, how well you sleep, how stressed you are, how much and what kind of exercise you practice (this does not mean exercise is the whole picture either) and even if you have food allergies or sensitivities.  When choosing your guilty pleasures, just remember moderation. A handful of potato chips after a healthy salad will probably be used and shed properly by your body, not stored as fat. However, a bag of chips after a stop at the fast food drive-thru, will most likely go straight to your hips.

Fiction: It’s in my genes.

Fact: While some people definitely seem born to be thin, eating whatever they want without gaining a pound, there’s still more to the picture. Sometimes, weight can run in families because bad food habits and relationships are passed down from generation to generation. The propensity to pack on the pounds may also be carried through genes, but that doesn’t mean you have to be fat. Just like any other disease or condition, proper nutrition can keep you healthy and prevent that gene from activating. Bottom line, you don’t have to follow the herd. You are just as capable of being fit as anyone else, even if no one in your family is.

Fiction: If I was younger…

Fact: It’s true that as you age, your metabolism slows down. Women will notice this more severely than men, but all of us will find the battle of the bulge a little more difficult as we get older.  However, just because it’s harder doesn’t mean it’s impossible by any means. One study noticed that women between the ages of 50 and 75 were able to successfully lose weight based on daily habits like eating regular meals, keeping a food journal and cooking their own meals. The study found hardly any correlation with weight loss success and subjects’ age. It’s never too late to get into shape.

Always consult your chiropractor or primary care physician for all your health related advice. 

Story Credit

Image Credit: In-N-Out – Late Night Snack by Ernesto Andrade. Used under a creative commons license.

This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Joint Corp (or it’s franchisees and affiliates). You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.