In combat, it is important to know your enemy. Five hundred years before Christ, General and Author Sun Tzu once said:

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”

What do you know about body fat? Where is it located? What types are there?

Body fat is separated into to two types: Subcutaneous and Visceral. Subcutaneous is the fat we see, the fat we hope to be working off while on a variety of hamster wheels and in group classes. Visceral is a more dangerous fat: It’s buried deep under the muscles and surrounds vital organs. Visceral fat is metabolized by the liver, which turns it into blood cholesterol. Those with a high level of visceral fat are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.

According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, regular exercise can keep visceral fat at bay. Participants in their study were placed on an 800 calorie/day diet, and organized into 3 groups - aerobic training, resistance training, and no exercise. During this time, average weight loss was 24 pounds. After this measurement was taken, those who were in either the aerobic or resistance training groups were asked to continue exercising 40 minutes twice per week for one year. Even though they gained a little weight, they did not regain any visceral fat. But those who stopped exercising averaged a 33% increase in visceral fat.

Now that we know our enemy a little better, take a look at your game plan and strategy for winning each battle. Lower intensity, long duration cardio is a very effective way of converting fat into expended energy. If you are currently losing weight, note the importance of maintaining a regular exercise routine to keep the enemy at bay. Not only will you look better in the mirror; you’ll keep your internal organs happy and healthy too.

Enjoy Your Exericise. Enjoy Your Day.