Why We Get Fat?

Introduction

Understanding why we get fat is crucial to understanding how to lose it. This helps filter out the noise and false claims that many fitness influencers and fake practitioners make. Weight loss is a big industry—$24.63 billion in 2023, to be exact—and every time we search online how to lose weight, we are sold an expensive quick fix. That being said, let's begin!

The Science of Weight/Fat Gain

Gaining or losing body fat is an energy equation, because fat is mostly stored energy. We store more fat when the energy from food, known as calories, is more than the energy used for physical activities and metabolism (for example, maintaining body temperature, breathing, digestion, thinking, etc.).

Knowing this, the answer for why we get fat is clear: we either eat too much food or move too little. To lose fat we must either eat fewer calories, move more, or both, and to better achieve this we must have an overall estimate of our daily calories consumed from food and "burned" through physical activities and our metabolism.

It is exactly like money management: without tracking our income and expenses, we have no control over our budget, and we spend (pun intended) our lives from paycheck to paycheck with constant stress.

Why Is Losing Fat Difficult?

In one word: hunger. The hard truth is that we must get used to feeling slightly hungry to lose weight. We don't need to starve, but a slight sensation of hunger is required because our body always tries to maintain its current state (homeostasis), which includes maintaining our current weight.

There is another reason why losing fat is difficult that may not be linked to hunger: the sight, taste, smell, and abundance of food. Everywhere we go, there is food, and we are overwhelmed by how it looks and tastes. There are so many flavorings and colorings engineered to keep us eating that it's nearly impossible not to gain fat. Not to mention that it is much more affordable and faster to eat on the street or on the go than to cook at home.

Of course, moving our body is also difficult, but lack of exercise is not really the reason most people are overweight. Let's be honest: there are more fitness centers and gyms than ever, but still not everyone is in shape. Also, you need to run (or walk) 6 km to compensate for the calories from a bag of potato chips, which has approximately 450 kcal.

In the end, diet is still the most important aspect when trying to manage our body fat levels.

The Answer to “How to Lose Fat (Easily)?”

That is the question this blog will answer: make fat loss easy through fast, simple, and delicious recipes that can be made at home by anyone.

I know I said earlier that food that's too delicious can be addictive, but these recipes are hard to overeat. They're low in calories and high in protein and fiber (high volume), so they help you feel full and satisfied with small portions.

All recipes on this blog use common and affordable ingredients that can be found at regular hypermarkets. I live in Romania and do all my shopping at Lidl (not sponsored).

You will also find traditional (Romanian) recipes adapted to low-calorie versions. That is what this blog is all about: low-calorie recipes, easy to make, filling, and enjoyable to eat and prepare. Consistency is king!

To better achieve this, I encourage you to purchase cookware that makes your life easier. These are investments because they save you time and money in the long run. I personally have a food processor, pressure cooker, and air fryer. I make most of my recipes using these and spend less than 60 minutes per recipe in the kitchen. I would spend double the time without them.

Conclusion

Losing fat is a matter of calorie management and nothing else. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is likely selling a magic pill, course, or training program. Don't be fooled—stick to the long-term, boring process, because that's what works.

The most important thing is to take control of your food and daily activities. I will help you with the first part.

Enjoy!