How to Optimize Fat Loss over General Weight Loss
You have probably heard that “You need to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight.”
It’s true.
You can’t lose weight without consuming less calories than you burn.
However, I’m sure you don’t want to “lose weight”…you want to lose fat specifically.
To target fat loss, these are 2 important principles to follow.
- Be in a caloric deficit
- Focus on building muscle
But how do you put these principles into practice to maximize fat loss?
Caloric Deficit
First, reach a caloric deficit by decreasing your caloric intake and increasing your caloric output.
You’ll want to focus on decreasing your caloric intake with these 3 main concepts:
- Portion control
- Practicing nutritional balance
- Implementing meal timing strategies
To increase your caloric output, workout 3-4 days a week for 45 minutes starting out.
You can gradually increase this to 4-5 days a week, but don’t try to increase your exercise routine to outwork poor nutritional decision.
…it never works long term.
By following Principle 1 – Be in a caloric deficit, you will lose weight. However, you don’t want to lose just any weight, you want to lose fat specifically. This is why it is also important to follow Principle 2 – Focus on building muscle.
Building Muscle
To build muscle, eat sufficient protein and consistently follow a strength training routine that is sustainable for you.
Without enough protein, you won’t optimize fat loss and instead lose more lean muscle mass in a caloric deficit.
With enough protein and a regular strength training routine, you will build or maintain muscle mass so the weight lost in a caloric deficit is fat, not muscle.
When you follow both principles together, you optimize fat loss.
Here is what one of our Small Group Members accomplished in 3 months following this advice:
- -7.3% in Body Fat
- -11.7lbs of Fat
- +5.6lbs of Lean Body Mass
- +3.7lbs of Muscle Mass
Calculators
The BMR Calculator will tell you how many calories you need to eat to maintain, lose or gain weight.
BMR Calculator
The Protein Calculator will tell you how grams of protein you need to preserve your muscle and lean body mass while in a caloric deficit. Start with the lower number and gradually increase it if desired results are not achieved.
Protein Calculator
Ready to create a sustainable lifestyle and
build the body you want?
David Minishian, MPH
Fitness and Nutrition Coach
David is the owner and coach at Sculpt Fitness in Long Beach, CA. The mission he has started at Sculpt is to educate, equip, and empower the local community to make the best decisions for their health. He has been coaching exercise and nutrition for over 10 years, helping clients create sustainable lifestyle to build the body they want. When he's not training, coaching or cooking, David is on an adventure with his wife and daughter or teeing up his next shot on a golf course.