Whether one loses 5 pounds of fat or 50 pounds of fat, I think it is very helpful to visualize just how much that is. Yes, five pounds of fat is much larger than most people realize!
This past week, I purchased a life-sized model of 5 pounds of fat from a well-known nutrition supplier; the same supplier I have purchased life-sized food models from, which I used to use a lot in my practice. When I received it, I was quite surprised how much room it took up and just how heavy it was.
Here is a photo of the life-sized model 5 pounds of fat on a scale, with my left hand for a size reference:
Here is a photo of it on an ordinary steno chair:
…and here is 5 pounds of fat being held in my hand:
Finally, here is 5 pounds of fat being carried as one would carry an infant:
Five pounds of fat is a lot! Sure there is the initial water-loss at the beginning of weight loss, but here I’m talking about fat.
Fat takes up a fair amount of room around one’s waist, or worse inside one’s abdomen or organs. If someone has 20 pounds of fat to lose, that is four of those fat models distributed over their body; legs, belly, arms, neck, back and face and perhaps some in their liver.
I had 55 pounds of excess fat before beginning my journey.
Comparing these two full length photos, it is easy to see how I had the equivalent of one of those fat models over the length of each leg, one distributed between each arm, one distributed over my neck and face and 2 spread out around my waist and hips and some no doubt, in my liver and pancreas. But still, I can’t actually imagine where I was carrying 11 of those, all told!
The fat in my abdomen must have been more than I imagined, as it was wreaking metabolic havoc on my body. I had very high blood pressure and had type 2 diabetes for 8 years. You can read the entire story (including lab test results) under “A Dietitian’s Journey” on my affiliate low carb web site by clicking here. Keep in mind that I chose to follow a therapeutic low carbohydrate diet, but there is no one-sized-fits-all diet that is right for everyone.
Whether you have 5 or 10 pounds of fat to lose, or like me â — a whole lot more, it is really only done a pound or so at a time. If you have significant amount of weight to lose, I can not only help you do that, but since I’ve been through it myself, I can encourage you and coach you through it. I provide services across Canada (except PEI) via HIPAA-compliant video conferencing, and most extended benefits providers reimburse for licensed Dietitian services.
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To your good health!
Joy
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