People with more body fat are built for survival
An honest conversation about weight loss
This is not medical advice.
This is not an article to shame people who might be overweight, nor is it a woke take on body image. My intent is to talk about science. That is the answer to helping people, and what I find most fascinating about our bodies’ self regulation.
I would argue that we are all built for survival. Our bodies ingest calories, and meter out what is needed. Vital organ functions first, and then an ingenious system of storing calories as fat for needed energy later, when we might not find food.
The problem is that most of us no longer live in that environment. We have massive amounts of calories readily available. The cheaper the food, the more fat, sugar and total calories are packed in. Typical basal survival rate of caloric intake is 1500-2000 calories per day. One burger meal of fast food can be as much as 1000 calories.
Genetics play a huge factor in our ability to regulate how much body fat we carry. We are not supposed to say that in the fitness industry. We don’t want it to be an excuse to not try products, or work hard. If you were dealt a bad hand in genetics, it does not mean that you can’t be successful.
I have witnessed thousands of people struggle to lose body fat, and only handfuls be successful. One woman lost a 100 pounds by walking 10 miles per day. Most of us do not have this kind of time or commitment.
I have a theory about physical and emotional stress limiting our weight loss. The body perceives stress as a survival situation. In order to survive the next survival situation, our body will need two things. It will need to get stronger, and it will need excess calories to weather the storm. Our bodies are wired to accomplish both.
I’ve written a previous article about women who don’t lose weight while trying to run.
Since our bodies are wired to save excess calories for survival, then skinny people (like me) are the first to go in survival situations. I like reading books about shipwrecks and Arctic explorers. Those without the genetic propensity for extra body fat are the first to die. In survival situations we use body fat for energy and insulation against trauma and the cold.
I’m not saying to give up trying to lose weight because you were dealt a bad hand. But I think honesty might help you be more successful. Ultimately it comes down to math. You must eat less than you burn in daily activity, and it is extremely difficult to burn off our modern, easy access to tens of thousands of calories.
I hate to use these words, because it sounds cheesy, but they are the most accurate and successful. A “life style change” is the most successful route to weight loss. We cannot continue our normal eating habits, and expect to burn off the excess fat. There are some high protein diets that work, but you must study them and be honest with yourself. Do I really want to limit this much forever? Because if you are starving and binge later, that yo-yo affect on your metabolism is worse. And there is a lot to be said for moderation. Do you have to withhold certain foods forever, or can you find a balance?