Fat Burning Myths

The body is a magnificient engine…it burns fat even if you are in couch potato mode! However most people think its only workouts that result in fat burning. In this post, i will cover some myths and truths about fat burning. I need to stress that weight loss or gain is *primarily* based on calories in/out.

Myth #1: Low intensity exercise eg walking is better at burning fat than high intensity exercise eg running.

Truth:As fat is a low energy reserve, scientifically your body will burn this source once a low intensity exercise is done simply because you are requiring less quick energy. However at a low intensity you also burn fewer calories. Therefore if weight loss is your goal, then this won’t help you much because despite higher ratio of fat is being used, proportionately a lower total amount of fat is lost.

Remembering that weightloss or gain is a calorie based aspect, weight loss based on a fat burning regime relies upon several aspects to include
(i)the total fat and carbohydrate calories burned
(ii)the total fat calories burned.

So what does it mean if you chose to go for a low intensity exercise regime? Simply ncrease the time spent exercising as this will result in you burning more calories. At the end of the day “the total number of calories burned” is what matters the most!

Myth #2. Snacking at night causes you to gain more fat than eating at other times of the day.

Truth: Again looking at the primary cause of weight gain/loss – “calories”, then whatever the time of day you eat, your body will accept calories. What late nite eating distabilises is your your digestive system since you will most likely lie down right after eating hence the source of this myth.

Myth #3: Your body doesn’t start burning fat until you’ve been exercising for at least 20 minutes a.k.a “The 20-Minute Fat-Burning Myth”

Truth: In order to lose fat, your body needs to be in calorie deficit mode. This means that your body is now consistently burning more calories than you are taking in. As such it then doesnt matter or at least doesnt make a great deal of a difference you’ve done one long workout or shorter ones. Despite it being true that your body depends more on carbohydrate and less on fat during your initial workout stages, your body switches to fat and less carbohydrate burning once you exercise for longer periods.

Myth #4 – Exercising on an empty stomach results in more fat burning that when its not empty.

Truth: Following this regime may inhibit fat burning coz you may actually not have the “energy” required to exercise. Its often recommended that you at the least drink a glass of juice before any workout especially if you do morning exercising.

Myth #5:Eating Fat Makes You Fat.

Truth: Given that calories are the main culprits in the weightloss/gain game, then eating too much of these be it through carbohydrates, proteins or fat will result in you being fat. You get fat by not being able to balance the in/ot ration ie eating more than you are burning. Bottom line is if you just avoid fats and not your calorie intake, then you will still be fat!