Formula For Effective Fat Loss

A mix of nutrition and exercise promotes fat loss.

There is a relationship between the exercise intensity we do and the type of fuel our bodies then burn to supply the required energy to our body. The most efficient way our bodies have of supplying energy is by converting stored fat, as there's more energy per ounce of fat than per ounce of carbohydrate, the other principal energy source used by our muscles during exercise.

Let's say at this moment you're sitting at a desk reading this article, your energy needs are low. Reading is therefore a low intensity fat-burning activity.

Chocolate fix?

So you now decide to walk to your local store for your favourite bar of chocolate. Be aware that walking requires a faster rate of energy supply than sitting around reading and is one of the many fat-burning activities, slightly higher one than just sitting. When you are walking back you buy a bar of chocolate - eating and burning fat - suddenly you remember you have forgotten a business appointment - You could decide to jog home and therefore use some of your stored energy.

Then you break into a run. In doing so, your slow but efficient fat stores can't give up their energy quickly enough. As a result, your body provides further, more rapidly liberated energy from stored carbohydrates. But while fat is no longer the only energy source fuelling your exercise, that doesn't mean during higher paced exercise you burn no fat at all.

The body doesn't switch from getting 100 per cent of our energy from burning fat at one exercise intensity to getting 100 per cent from carbohydrates at another intensity. Our bodies know how to adjust the mix of fat, carbs and other fuel sources burnt by our muscles as the intensity changes and the fuel supply needs change too.

Running and Rushing

When you're running really fast, the rate of fat burning drops as the quicker delivery of carbohydrates take over. But only when you're running really fast. However, just by rushing around to get the housework done before your friends come around, you could be burning a mix of carbohydrates and fat.

In reality if you've got limited time - 20 to 40 minutes, say - to run, swim, dance or burn energy in any way you do as part of your exercise routine, you're probably better off going a little quicker, rather than easing off the pace in the belief that you'll burn more fat. Just maximise the amount of energy burnt and the fat will look after itself.

If you've got more time to exercise, go slower and do it for longer.