The skinny on weight loss

When trying to lose weight we must remember that all weight loss is not necessarily good. The French aristocrats who lost 12-15 pounds instantly when they were beheaded at the guillotin weren't better off for the experience. Less dramatically, weight loss that includes muscle loss is not beneficial or healthy either. That is why being monitored with a bioimpedence body composition device such as the Stayhealthy BC-1, that distinguishes lean tissue from fat, is so important when attempting to lose weight.

The body has 3 sources of fuel, blood sugar and glycogen (stored sugars); lean tissue such as muscle; and fat. Blood sugar and glycogen are readily available and easy access to both usually supplies us with the fuel we burn for energy. This is considered your checking account. Lean tissue and fat are less easily available and are considered your body's savings account. If we access our savings account it's because there's not enough in our checking account. To get consistent and rapid weight loss we must empty the checking account so that we can access the savings account. But to consistently and rapidly lose fat only (3-7 pounds/week) we must spare the lean tissues which includes our muscle mass. To accomplish this, adequate amounts of protein must be consumed. To this end Ideal Protein has developed various foods derived from pure isolates of 5 different protein sources to insure that you get enough protein without getting too much.

Absorbability or bioavailability of the protein source makes a big difference to the outcome of your weight loss venture. If you were to eat 100 grams of meat, your actual protein intake is only about 15 grams and not 100 grams. A 100 gram piece of meat contains 65 grams of water, connective tissue and saturated fats and only 15 grams of protein. Your body will assimilate only about 10-12 grams of the 15 grams of protein.

This is why the Ideal Protein packets of protein or other foods of protein isolates are so important. Each packet contains about 20 grams of protein. Since this is high biological value protein, it is almost entirely assimilated. A packet of protein contains about 90-100 calories. If you wanted to get the same amount of protein from meat, you'd have to eat about 300 calories worth of meat. Therefore these packets of protein isolates and foods are the best way to get a maximum of protein with a minimum amount of calories.

To learn more about the Ideal Protein weight loss diet/treatment or to schedule a free consultation please call our office at (208) 772-6015. Come on Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint - Let's shape up and get healthy together.