{"id":802557,"date":"2024-08-12T11:11:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T11:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-unexpected-dexa-results-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-10-04T10:04:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T10:04:57","slug":"blog-body-composition-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Body Composition Myths You Still Believe"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px|||||&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=&#8221;50px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; link_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; ul_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">When it comes to body composition, there\u2019s plenty of misinformation. It\u2019s easy to be misled by outdated, contradictory, or entirely incorrect information, and this can lead to stalled progress and unnecessarily extreme diet and exercise habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In this article, we\u2019ll dispel 5 common body composition myths and misconceptions to make sure you have the know-how you need to reach your body comp goals safely and effectively.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Body_composition_myth-busting\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Body composition myth-busting\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Body_composition_myth-busting\" >Body composition myth-busting\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Myth_You_can_turn_fat_into_muscle\" >Myth: You can turn fat into muscle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Fact_Fat_and_muscle_are_different_tissues_and_building_muscle_is_a_separate_process_to_burning_fat\" >Fact: Fat and muscle are different tissues, and building muscle is a separate process to burning fat\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Myth_You_can_spot_reduce_fat\" >Myth: You can spot reduce fat\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Fact_You_cant_choose_where_you_lose_fat_first_but_you_can_work_towards_losing_overall_body_fat\" >Fact: You can\u2019t choose where you lose fat first, but you can work towards losing overall body fat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Myth_Cardio_is_the_best_way_to_burn_fat\" >Myth: Cardio is the best way to burn fat\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Fact_A_combination_of_diet_cardio_and_strength_training_is_the_key_to_sustainable_fat_loss\" >Fact: A combination of diet, cardio, and strength training is the key to sustainable fat loss\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Myth_The_greater_the_calorie_deficit_the_quicker_the_fat_loss\" >Myth: The greater the calorie deficit, the quicker the fat loss<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Fact_Too_great_of_a_calorie_deficit_will_not_lead_to_faster_fat_loss_%E2%80%93_but_it_can_have_negative_effects\" >Fact: Too great of a calorie deficit will not lead to faster fat loss \u2013 but it can have negative effects<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Myth_To_lose_fat_or_gain_muscle_I_cant_eat_x\" >Myth: To lose fat or gain muscle, I can\u2019t eat x<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Fact_Provided_you_maintain_a_calorie_deficit_for_fat_loss_or_a_calorie_surplus_for_muscle_gain_no_food_is_off-limits\" >Fact: Provided you maintain a calorie deficit (for fat loss) or a calorie surplus (for muscle gain), no food is off-limits\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-body-composition-myths\/#Ready_to_hit_your_body_recomposition_goals\" >Ready to hit your body recomposition goals?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">From extreme diets to dubious supplement recommendations, the internet is packed full of unscientific advice on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">how to lose fat and gain muscle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. However, alongside these more extreme claims, there\u2019s still plenty of genuine misunderstanding about the basic processes that power body recomposition. The 6 body composition myths below fall into that category \u2013 let\u2019s take a look.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Body-Composition-Myths-Banner.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;My Vital Metrics branded body composition myths infographic, listing 5 body composition myths and their corresponding facts. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;Body Composition Myths Banner&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth_You_can_turn_fat_into_muscle\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Myth: You can turn fat into muscle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">One of the most common body composition myths is that you can turn fat into muscle, or vice versa. Body recomposition is often discussed as though it were a singular process, but it\u2019s actually two distinct processes: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-fat-vs-muscle\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">fat loss and muscle gain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fact_Fat_and_muscle_are_different_tissues_and_building_muscle_is_a_separate_process_to_burning_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fact: Fat and muscle are different tissues, and building muscle is a separate process to burning fat\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fat loss<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Losing fat requires a calorie deficit (consuming fewer calories are used through everyday activity and burnt through exercise). A calorie deficit prompts the body to utilise alternative forms of energy, breaking down tissues to fuel key bodily processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In a calorie deficit, the body initiates the breakdown of fatty tissues into fatty acids through a process called lipolysis. These fatty acids enter the bloodstream and are further metabolised into additional compounds (such as ketones) which serve as a source of fuel when nutritional intake is low. This process facilitates weight loss through the \u201cburning\u201d of fat for energy. At no point is this fat used to form new tissues such as muscle, even if you\u2019re working out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Muscle gain<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">On the other hand, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-signs-of-muscle-gain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">building muscle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> requires a calorie surplus (consuming <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">more <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">calories than are used) and progressive challenge to muscles through strength or resistance training. When these conditions are met, muscle hypertrophy (an increase in muscle mass) is possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Of course, it\u2019s a little more complicated than that, with plenty of other factors coming into play. Training type, volume, load, sleep quality,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> nutrient timing, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">and protein intake all play a role in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6950543\/#B7-ijerph-16-04897\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">successful muscle gain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. However, crucially, strength training will not \u201cturn\u201d fat into muscle. Rather, when combined with a caloric surplus and adequate protein intake, strength training will help build new muscle and increase your overall muscle mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth_You_can_spot_reduce_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Myth: You can spot reduce fat\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Contrary to popular belief, you can\u2019t choose where you burn fat first (or last). The idea of spot reduction of fat appeals to many, and may seem intuitive. After all, for muscle development, if you want big shoulders, you need to work your shoulders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Fat loss is not like this, though. Fat is a fuel source for the whole body, and when the body burns fat, this is broken down from where the metabolism wants to break it down, sent to the liver for further processing, and then sent around the body for use as fuel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Focused strength training can build muscle in a specific area (for example, the legs), which can add shape and lend you a leaner appearance, but exercise alone will not lead to a reduction in fat in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fact_You_cant_choose_where_you_lose_fat_first_but_you_can_work_towards_losing_overall_body_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fact: You can\u2019t choose where you lose fat first, but you can work towards losing overall body fat<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Where we store fat and how this fat is lost during a calorie deficit is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24632736\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">largely determined by genetic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">s and hormonal state. For example, people with a higher level of testosterone will tend to store more fat around the midsection, while those with more estrogen will tend to store more fat around the hips and thighs. While all physical activity helps to boost your calorie burn, you won\u2019t necessarily see fat lost from the areas you\u2019re hoping for first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">As an example, core workouts are a popular method of building core strength. Incorporating core work into your workout routine is a great way to build strength in your abdominals, obliques, pelvic muscles, and lower back, and build a firm foundation for other compound movements. However, these exercises won\u2019t burn fat from your stomach area or automatically lead to six-pack abs if your body fat percentage is higher. This doesn\u2019t mean these exercises aren\u2019t worth incorporating; however, you should aim to be realistic about what they can and can\u2019t do for your body composition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth_Cardio_is_the_best_way_to_burn_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Myth: Cardio is the best way to burn fat\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/7050-aerobic-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Cardiovascular exercise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> such as walking, running, swimming, or cycling is a fantastic way to improve cardiovascular health. Cardio helps improve your speed and stamina, reduces your risk of certain chronic conditions, boosts your mood, and has a whole host of other health benefits. However, contrary to common belief, it is not an efficient way to burn fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fact_A_combination_of_diet_cardio_and_strength_training_is_the_key_to_sustainable_fat_loss\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fact: A combination of diet, cardio, and strength training is the key to sustainable fat loss\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">To understand why cardio alone <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">isn\u2019t <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">the best strategy for fat loss, it\u2019s important to understand why it\u2019s many people\u2019s go-to exercise for weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Cardio exercise is a common fat loss strategy because it has a relatively high-calorie burn. For example, if a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutristrategy.com\/caloriesburned.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">155lb adult ran at a 6mph pace<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (a 10 min mile) for 1 hour, they would burn a total of 704kcal. If that same person did a vigorous weight lifting workout for 1 hour, on the other hand, they would burn a total of 422kcal. From this comparison alone, it would seem that the run is a better weight loss strategy than the strength workout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, what this calculation doesn\u2019t take into account is that both cardio and strength training affect more than pure calorie burn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Weight training helps to build muscle mass, which in turn increases metabolic rate, burning more calories over time. Additionally, the metabolic effects of weight training aren\u2019t limited to the time you\u2019re exercising \u2013 calorie burn remains higher after your session to aid muscle repair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Over time, incorporating strength or resistance training into your workout regime is likely to further your fat loss goals through an increase in lean muscle mass and a boosted metabolic rate. Weight training while in a calorie deficit has the added benefit of sending signals to your metabolism indicating that you need these muscles \u2013 this means that any deficit will preferentially be taken from fat, not muscle, helping you to maintain muscle mass as you lose fat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The second key component to sustainable fat loss is nutrition. Even with a routine of cardio and strength training, if you\u2019re not eating in a calorie deficit, you won\u2019t see fat loss. Working to incorporate a moderate calorie deficit to accompany your increased activity level will help you to see the fat loss you\u2019re after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth_The_greater_the_calorie_deficit_the_quicker_the_fat_loss\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Myth: The greater the calorie deficit, the quicker the fat loss<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_1022163202.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Broccoli and a pink donut are held in a person&#8217;s palms, face up, as they choose which to eat. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_1022163202&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If a calorie deficit leads to weight loss, then a bigger calorie deficit leads to more weight loss \u2013 right?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Well, not always.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fact_Too_great_of_a_calorie_deficit_will_not_lead_to_faster_fat_loss_%E2%80%93_but_it_can_have_negative_effects\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fact: Too great of a calorie deficit will not lead to faster fat loss \u2013 but it can have negative effects<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The size of your calorie deficit will indeed affect your rate of weight \u2013 and by extension fat \u2013 loss. For someone maintaining a calorie deficit of 200kcal, for example, increasing this deficit to 400kcal would likely lead to them experiencing a faster rate of weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, this isn\u2019t true indefinitely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In too large of a calorie deficit, the body may burn other tissues, such as muscle (which is costly for the body to maintain), leading to a loss of lean mass. It may also make \u201ccompromises\u201d in other areas, limiting the energy it puts into our immune system or brain function. This can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, such as getting sick often, feeling cold, and experiencing brain fog. These are all signs that the body doesn\u2019t have enough energy and that your calorie deficit is likely too big. Research recommends that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8017325\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">VLCDs (very low-calorie diets)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> are only suitable for short periods and under extreme circumstances, and are not recommended for routine weight management. Any VLCD should always be carried out under medical supervision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Maintaining a moderate calorie deficit of 500kcal per day is likely ideal for fat loss without compromising other tissues. Rather than opting for a more extreme diet, aim to hit a reasonable deficit consistently. This will be more sustainable and more likely to lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-lose-fat-with-a-dexa-scan-for-body-fat\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">lasting fat loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Myth_To_lose_fat_or_gain_muscle_I_cant_eat_x\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Myth: To lose fat or gain muscle, I can\u2019t eat x<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There are plenty of fat loss \u201cfood rules\u201d and detailed nutrition guides for muscle gain out there. However, the idea that there\u2019s only one way to eat and train to lose fat or gain muscle is a misconception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fact_Provided_you_maintain_a_calorie_deficit_for_fat_loss_or_a_calorie_surplus_for_muscle_gain_no_food_is_off-limits\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Fact: Provided you maintain a calorie deficit (for fat loss) or a calorie surplus (for muscle gain), no food is off-limits\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The good news is that there\u2019s no one way to lose weight or put on muscle. What works for one person may not work for you, and while there are best practices you\u2019ll want to stick to (such as getting adequate protein for muscle gain), a lot of the rest is up to personal preference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A 2021 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8017325\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">meta-analysis of optimal diet strategies for weight loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> compared a range of dietary interventions. The study compared low carbohydrate, high protein, low fat, ketogenic, paleolithic, low-GI, intermittent fasting, Mediterranean, Nordic, vegetarian, DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension), and portfolio (low cholesterol vegan) diets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The analysis concluded that there was <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">no single best strategy for weight loss <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">and that \u201cthe best diet for weight management is one that can be maintained in the long term\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Because of this, while no food or food group is off-limits, you may want to consider eating foods that will make it easier to stick to your calorie deficit. Highly processed foods will leave you lacking in micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, and leave you feeling hungrier sooner. This can make it difficult to stick to a calorie deficit and impact your progress. Consuming a diet that hits all your macro and micronutrient requirements while incorporating plenty of whole foods, quality protein, and fibre can make it easier to stick to your plan long-term.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">This highlights the importance of finding a sustainable nutrition strategy that works for you. A calorie deficit is the only <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">truly <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">necessary factor for weight loss; how you choose to go about that, and the specific foods you do or don\u2019t include in your meal plan, is up to you. For the best chance of success in optimising your nutritional intake for fat loss or muscle gain, we\u2019d recommend speaking to a registered dietician to create a plan that\u2019s customised to your body and goals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ready_to_hit_your_body_recomposition_goals\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Ready to hit your body recomposition goals? <\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2229454179.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;3 athletic young adults perform a kettlebell workout in a gym.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_2229454179&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Hopefully, this article has busted a few body composition myths. If you\u2019d like to learn more about how to lose fat, gain muscle, maintain a healthy body fat percentage, or reach other body composition goals, we\u2019d recommend heading over to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">My Vital Metrics blog<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, where we\u2019ve covered all these topics and many more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Here at My Vital Metrics, we understand that access to accurate data is essential to making long-lasting changes to our health and fitness. If you\u2019re looking to make positive changes to your body composition, then a professional DEXA scan is a great place to start. To find out more or book your first scan, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">reach out to the team at My Vital Metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> today!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to body composition, there\u2019s plenty of misinformation. It\u2019s easy to be misled by outdated, contradictory, or entirely incorrect information, and this can lead to stalled progress and unnecessarily extreme diet and exercise habits.\u00a0 In this article, we\u2019ll dispel 5 common body composition myths and misconceptions to make sure you have the know-how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":802573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body-comp","category-fitness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802557"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":802651,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802557\/revisions\/802651"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}