Some basic physiology

This underpins all the other topics relating to weight. It explains the simple, physical processes which lead to either a loss or a gain in weight. It is important to understand these above anything else. 

To properly understand the process of weight loss, it is easiest to explain how the human body lays down fat in the first place. Once you understand this process, you will know how you put on the fat you now wish to lose, and the path to reverse the process will become more obvious. 

The process described below is simplified, and I have attempted to keep it as simple as possible without dumbing down or missing out any key steps. If you are interested in finding out more, by all means do your own research, it is a fascinating subject.

This is all you really need to know with regard to weight loss – but you absolutely do need to know it. This process will remain the same whether you are losing or gaining weight, and if you understand it, you will understand why you are losing (or gaining) weight. And understanding is more than half of the battle.

Although the basic processes involved are not conceptually difficult, the problem is that this kind of information is not routinely taught in our schools and as a result, is not necessarily common knowledge. It is a strange omission in the education system given the importance of its role in our lives and health.

Using energy and laying down fat
Let’s start at the beginning. All of your energy comes from what you eat and drink. You begin to break down food in the mouth, most of the work is done in the stomach and the remainder of the nutrients are extracted in the small and finally the large intestines.

While food is in your stomach or intestines, it is broken down into smaller particles. Various nutrients are extracted, but all we are really concerned with for the moment is energy. It doesn’t matter if this energy comes from fats, proteins or carbohydrates; they basically all end up being converted into glucose. This is then transported around your body through the blood and taken to cells which use it to keep you alive and active.

If there is a surplus of energy, the body takes the excess glucose from the blood and turns it into fat, which is stored around the body. If your cells need more energy than is available in the blood, fat around the body will be broken down, converted back into sugars and transported around the body in the blood in the usual way.

So there you have it: Your body extracts sugars from the food you eat, blood takes this to the cells where it is used, and any surplus is taken back by the blood and stored as fat. When there is a minor energy deficit, your body will take fat and convert it into energy. This is when you are losing weight.