What Happens To Excess Fat When You Start Losing Weight?

Obesity is the number two cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the Get America Fit Foundation. Excess body fat increases your risk of diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and even some types of cancer. While it is challenging to lose weight, it can be done with diet and exercise. However, your fat cells only shrink, they don't disappear completely.

Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is the series of complex metabolic processes that break down fat in your body so that it can be used as energy, according to MayoClinic.com. Lipid, or fat, is what is inside the fat cells of your body. Each gram of lipid can yield about 9 kilocalories of energy, compared with carbohydrate and protein, which only yield 4 kilocalories of energy. When you burn more calories than you consume, your fat cells release lipid into your bloodstream. It is then broken down to yield the energy needed for function. The cell itself does not disappear, but simply shrinks in size.

Fat Cell Function

Fat cells increase or decrease in size depending on diet, exercise and lifestyle. While you may believe that all fat is bad, you in fact need some fat in your body. Its primary function is as a source of energy. You store about 600 kilocalories of energy in the form of carbohydrate, but you can store 100,000 kilocalories of energy in fat, according to Elmhurst College. It also acts as an insulator against heat loss for your body. Body fat also serves as a cushion and support for the vital organs of your body.

Effect of Exercise and Diet

Exercise and diet play a vital role in controlling/losing excess fat from your body. When you exercise, your body needs energy above and beyond what is necessary for normal function. Its first choice for fuel is carbohydrate, or glycogen, because it is easily broken down. However, body fat is also contributing. Lipid metabolism contributes to exercise whether you are doing cardio or strength training, thereby reducing stored fat and contributing to weight loss. Diet provides the necessary calories for life. Calorie consumption is a balancing act. Eat too much, and you gain weight. Eat less, and you lose weight. Eat what you burn, and you maintain weight.

Considerations

Not only do diet and exercise affect your body fat, but so does your health and age. Certain medications may alter the hormones in your body and change the rate at which fat is broken down. Depending on the medication, it can slow down or even speed up the process. Aging can also affect body fat and weight loss. As you age, you naturally lose lean muscle tissue. This leads to a lower metabolism, and increased body fat and body weight. Stay consistent with your diet and exercise plan and discuss your medications with your doctor to control weight.