I’ve always been interested in discovering the true scientific facts behind weight loss. It can be frustrating to see so much misleading information out there, making people believe in magic diets and pills. That’s why I went on a search for studies and information on the topic, and came across Ruben Meerman – also known as The Surfing Scientist. Ruben is an Australian scientist, educator, author, and public speaker. He gave a TEDx conference talk about the mathematics of weight loss, which I found on YouTube. After watching his lecture, I was blown away by his explanation and decided to share it on my blog.
Apparently, when we burn fat, the byproduct is actually carbon dioxide which we exhale. It’s pretty cool because it’s weightless and invisible to the naked eye. Who knew?
Did you know that 10 kilograms of fat turns into 8.4 kilograms of an invisible gas that you breathe out? According to Ruben, the remaining 1.6 kilograms will come out as water, which comes out in your sweat, urine, or on the back door. So, the next time you’re exercising and your breathing rate goes up, you’re actually losing more weight than when you’re sitting down and not breathing as rapidly.
If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to focus on more than just counting calories. Instead, try tracking what you eat in a day, eating a bit less than usual, and cleaning up your nutrition. I’ve found that while keeping track of calories can be helpful, it’s also important to focus on boosting your metabolism. This can be achieved through a combination of regular exercise, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods. Additionally, getting enough sleep and managing stress levels can also contribute to a healthy metabolism. Remember, a healthy lifestyle is about more than just counting calories. It’s about taking care of your body in a holistic way. By doing so, you can achieve faster and more stable results.
You Need More Oxygen to Burn Calories
Did you know that the amount of oxygen you need depends on your body weight? According to Sciencedaily.com, for every 10 kilograms of fat, you need to inhale 29 kilograms of oxygen. That’s a lot! But don’t worry, there are ways to increase your oxygen intake. Exercise and a healthy diet can help boost your oxygen consumption, making your cells work better and putting less strain on your heart and circulatory system. It’s also interesting to note that men typically have higher oxygen consumption than women, making it a bit easier for them to lose weight or stay fit. With a bit of fitness training and physical exercise, you can increase your oxygen intake by 20% or more, making all body functions work better and easier. So take a deep breath and get moving!
From my own experience, I prefer training outdoors, especially in areas with higher oxygen concentration, like among the trees. I’ve found that when I run on forest and mountain trails, rather than on the streets of my city, I lose weight faster. The abundance of fresh air has also greatly improved my performance and given my brain a boost. Whenever I finish a long run in the nearby mountains, I feel like I’ve just meditated. Despite pushing myself to the limit, I feel more energized, refreshed, and happier afterwards.
Train Outdoors in Cold and Hot Temperatures
I recently learned that colder weather can actually have a fat-burning benefit for our bodies. According to some experts at New West Physicians, when we’re exposed to colder temperatures, our body naturally shivers and activates reactions within our brown fat cells. This is because as mammals, our bodies are designed to use fat cells to store energy, and eventually utilize that fuel to regulate our core body temperature in colder temperatures. As a result of this process, our bodies produce heat through thermogenesis, which can help to burn calories and even turn white fat into brown, ultimately leading to a decrease in body weight.
I’ve found that maintaining a balanced calorie intake is crucial for weight loss, no matter the weather. Personally, I like to train outdoors all year round, even during the chilly winters here in Romania where temperatures can drop as low as -15 Celsius. While it can be really uncomfortable, I find that it’s highly effective for boosting my metabolism and burning calories. There are actually numerous studies that highlight the benefits of cold exposure on both physical and mental health. Similarly, during the summer months, training in hot temperatures can also have a positive impact on weight loss and overall cardiovascular health. The increased demand on the cardiovascular system can improve circulation and oxygen transport, which ultimately leads to the elimination of carbon dioxide and fat through sweat.
Spot Reduction Doesn’t Exist!
It’s a common belief that you can lose weight in a specific area of your body through spot reduction, but that’s not entirely true. Stubborn belly fat can be caused by a variety of factors, including overeating, incorrect nourishment, insufficient training, or inappropriate exercising. It’s a gradual process that can lead to obesity over time, but genetics don’t play a role in it. Losing weight takes time and effort, but it’s a reversible process. To achieve successful fat loss, it’s crucial to approach it as a whole and understand the biochemistry behind it.
Control Your Appetite!
According to New West Physicians: “No more, no less, just the right amount. Hunger-regulating neurons in the brain can help encourage white fat to turn brown. This is achieved when eating just the right amount of food to satisfy hunger. Eating too few calories prevent white fat from turning brown. Overeating creates more white fat and interferes with brown fat’s ability to burn calories.”
I rigorously practiced everything written here. It is one of the primary reasons I got so lean. I genuinely believe that if you want to max out the results and get fit, then you have to check every single box. Go halfway and you will diminish your chances of looking really good at the end of the journey. Losing weight takes a lot of time and effort as science shows. Practically, I needed a little over a full year to get rid of around 16 kilograms.
It’s important to eat just the right amount of food to satisfy hunger if you want to encourage white fat to turn brown. Hunger-regulating neurons in the brain play a role in this process. Eating too few calories can prevent white fat from turning brown, while overeating creates more white fat and interferes with brown fat’s ability to burn calories.
I hope you found my experience helpful and informative. If you’re on a weight loss journey yourself, remember that every little bit counts. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to see results. And if you ever need extra help, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Together, we can achieve our goals!
