Focusing solely on weight loss from exercise will not provide a complete and accurate picture of your overall health and fitness. As a ‘non-weight focused’ practitioner, I look towards other benefits from movement and other parameters of health to measure success. In a weight focused world where weight loss strategies or magic fixes are around every corner, it pays to look at the bigger picture and understand why body composition will provide a greater understanding around health than weight loss. Here are several reasons why shifting the focus to body composition is often considered more beneficial:
Muscle vs. Fat
Weight loss alone does not distinguish between the loss of fat and muscle mass. If you lose weight without maintaining or building muscle, it can lead to a less metabolically efficient body composition and generally results in poor preservation of weight loss.
Metabolism
Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, especially ‘white’ fat tissue which is the predominate adipose or fat tissue in adults. By focusing on body composition and preserving or increasing muscle mass, you can positively impact your metabolism. This means you’ll burn more kilojoules even when you’re not actively exercising.
Health Improvements
Exercise has numerous health benefits beyond weight loss. It can improve cardiovascular health, boost mood, enhance sleep, and increase energy levels, all of which are measurable in some way. Focusing on body composition encourages overall well-being rather than just a number on the scale.
Functional Fitness
Building and maintaining muscle mass through exercise contributes to functional fitness which equates to a greater ease in performing your daily tasks, less risk of falls and maintenance of independence as you age. This means you’ll be better equipped to perform daily activities and reduce the risk of injury throughout your lifetime.
Sustainable Results
Rapid weight loss from extreme diets or excessive exercise can often be unsustainable and lead to the loss of muscle mass. Focusing on body composition promotes a more gradual and sustainable approach to fitness, making it easier to maintain long-term results.
Psychological Well Being
Constantly focusing on weight can lead to an unhealthy obsession, disordered eating and negative self-image. Shifting the focus to body composition allows for a more positive mindset, emphasising health, strength, and fitness rather than a specific number on the scales.
Performance Goals
If you engage in specific sports or activities, focusing on body composition can help you set performance-related goals. This might include improving strength, endurance, or agility, rather than just aiming for a certain weight.
Whilst weight loss may be a component of improving body composition, the emphasis on overall health, muscle preservation and sustainable fitness practices makes body composition a more comprehensive and beneficial metric for many individuals. A holistic approach to health and fitness, including a focus on body composition and other parameters of health, rather than focusing on a number on the scales will mean greater health outcomes now and in the future.
