Where do the lost kilos go when you lose weight?
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Where do the lost kilos go when you lose weight? losing weight is a great source of success and happiness for many people. However, an interesting question may come to mind in this process: ‘When you lose weight, where do the lost kilos go?’ Understanding scientifically the processes by which fat leaves the body during weight loss can help us better understand the weight loss process. In this article, we will explain what happens in the body during weight loss and how and where the lost weight goes.
What Happens During Weight Loss?
Losing weight actually means that the body uses its energy stores. Excess weight is a result of energy accumulated in fat tissues. The body obtains the energy it needs from the food we eat. However, when the energy received is more than the energy expended, excess calories are stored as fat and lead to weight gain. In order to lose weight, the body needs to use these fat stores. So, what happens when fat burns and how do these fats leave the body?
Transformation of Lost Weight: Carbon Dioxide and Water
During weight loss, fat tissues are broken down into energy. In this process, fat molecules are broken down into components consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. As a result of burning fats, most of the products released are excreted from the body in the form of carbon dioxide and water.
For example, let ‘s say you lose 10 kilograms of fat. Of these 10 kilograms, approximately 8.4 kilograms are converted into carbon dioxide and exhaled through the lungs. The remaining 1.6 kilograms is converted into water and excreted through sweat, urine and other body fluids. Therefore, during weight loss, a large part of the body is excreted through breathing and fluid pathways.
The Role of the Lungs in Weight Loss
The lungs play a very important role in the process of weight loss. Carbon atoms in the body are converted into carbon dioxide, accumulate in the lungs and are exhaled by exhaling. For a person who wants to lose weight, physical activity and breathing processes are therefore very important. Moving more allows the body to expend more energy, which accelerates fat burning.
Aerobic exercises are particularly effective in increasing fat burning. Deep breaths taken during activities such as running, walking, cycling help to remove more carbon dioxide from the body. This allows fats to be removed from the body faster.
Weight Loss Through Water
Water formed as a result of fat burning is excreted from the body in various ways. Some of the water in the body is excreted through sweating, urine and even tears. This process is accelerated with increased sweating during exercise. The body also loses water during metabolic activities and adequate fluid consumption is important to replace this water loss. Water is one of the most important components of the weight loss process and therefore adequate daily water consumption supports healthy weight loss.
The Importance of Exercise During Weight Loss
We have seen that the fat excreted from the body in weight loss is excreted as carbon dioxide and water. Exercise plays a major role in this process. Exercise accelerates the conversion of body fat into energy by increasing the need for energy. It also increases the capacity of the lungs to expel carbon dioxide by encouraging deep breathing. Cardio exercises are particularly effective for fat burning and weight loss.
Health Effects of Weight Loss
Weight loss provides many benefits for a healthy life. As you get closer to your ideal weight, body fat decreases, heart health is supported, blood pressure stabilises and blood sugar control becomes easier. Understanding the process of weight loss also makes it easier to understand the positive effects of this process on your health. For example, the burden of excess weight on the body organs is reduced and thus a healthier life is achieved.
The Importance of Eating Patterns in Weight Loss
Exercising alone is not enough to lose weight. Taking all the nutrients the body needs with a balanced and healthy diet ensures that the weight loss process proceeds in a healthy way. By paying attention to the balance of protein, carbohydrate and fat, it can contribute to the reduction of fat stores while meeting the body’s energy needs. The most important point to remember is that a sustainable and balanced diet is one of the most effective methods for weight loss.
Conclusion Where are the Lost Kilos When You Lose Weight?
During weight loss, fats in the body leave the body as carbon dioxide and water while being converted into energy. Most of this fat excreted from the body is exhaled through breathing, while the rest is excreted through sweat, urine and other body fluids. So, when you lose weight, it really does ‘fly away’ – in your breath and sweat!
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