According to research, the human body has a body weight or body fat set point that it tries to maintain. We know that the body has numerous defence mechanisms in place to try to maintain “homeostasis” (stability and balance). One of these systems has an internal and external thermometer built in to control body temperature.
One of the body’s reactions to sickness is to increase its temperature in an effort to attack the infection, which we call having a fever. It would appear that the body’s defence or maintenance of body weight is governed by yet another regulatory system. Based on heredity, environment, eating habits, food preferences, and sleep, this differs from person to person.
Body Fat in Lean and Obese Individuals
A lean person cannot afford to lose much fat; hence, the body appears to protect a lower adiposity set point in lean individuals against fat loss. At one time, this might have resulted in them starving to death or being too thin to procreate. Body fat plays a role in the production of sex hormones.
However, obese people frequently advocate for a higher body fat set point. That bemuses scientists since, despite possessing more fat than is essential to prevent hunger and infertility, the body prefers to defend an obese body type over a lean one.
Why are so Many People Overweight?
Today, food is so readily available and abundant thanks to stores, quick food restaurants, and food delivery services. It causes us to eat excessive amounts of calorie-dense foods that we previously would have had to hunt or travel for. Although the body fat set point differs from person to person, the good news is that it can change over time in the majority of people.
Our genes do not entirely determine our body weight. Over the course of their lives, many people gradually put on weight, raising the barrier at which they feel comfortable. The excessive eating of highly processed, high-calorie, high-sugar meals is one of the primary causes of this.
Although a calorie deficit is the most crucial factor in fat loss, most people want to be able to lose weight while still having flexibility with their diets, including the ability to eat “junk food.”
However, a diet with a lower reward value will do a better job of controlling hunger and reducing body fat than one with a higher reward value.
Your body weight set point will be influenced by your regular daily behaviors, including your nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and sleep. If we maintain new, lower body weight for a longer period, our bodies are much more inclined to accept it as the norm.
Here are a few strategies for lowering your body fat limit.
1. Cut Back on the Appetising Foods
Make it harder for your brain to crave more. It will encourage you to consume less.
2. Control Your Hunger
Go for a diet that comprises high-protein, low-calorie foods that are both fibrous and satiating.
3. Include Strength Training
Your resting metabolism will benefit more from having more muscle.
4. Consider Sleeping
For the sake of your health and welfare as well as weight loss, you should place an emphasis on getting enough sleep and, more importantly, getting quality sleep.
5. Lower Your Stress Levels
Stress-related eating is one of the reasons we often overeat. Fat loss can benefit from stress management techniques like meditation or journaling.
There you have it, then. You can reach and maintain healthier body weight by consulting a professional mobile personal trainer and following the general health guidelines that are relevant and appropriate.