The topic of reducing body fat is of great importance to many people, especially women, as too much body fat can be high body fat percentage not only the external appearance appearance, but also negative effects on health can have. Reducing your body fat percentage can help to reduce the risk of various diseases and improve your general well-being. In this article, you will find out how you can lower your body fat percentage, reduce your body weight and build muscle at the same time. We give you tips, how you can reduce body fat and show you which strategies you can use to do so.
Reduce your body fat percentage: The basics
In order to successfully reduce body fat, it is important to understand the basic functions and relationships in the body. The body fat percentage can be measured using various methods. In this section, however, we will first clarify a few basic questions:
- How does fat burning work in the body? Burning fat in the body is a complex process that relies on a sufficient energy supply and active metabolism. The body needs energy to maintain its functions and this energy is derived from the nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) that we consume. If we consume more energy than our body needs, it stores this energy in the form of fat reserves. Fat burning occurs when the body needs more energy than it receives from food. In this case, it draws on the stored fat reserves and burns them to generate energy. With the low carb diet the body is supplied with few carbohydrates, which means it can use its energy supply from the fat reserves and you therefore lose weight quickly can.
- How much body fat is healthy? There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on various factors as to how much body fat can be considered healthy. In general, however, it can be said that a certain amount of body fat is important to maintain the body's vital functions. For men, a body fat percentage of around 10-20% and for women around 20-30% is considered healthy. However, too much body fat can lead to various health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and joint problems.
- How many calories do you need to cut in order to reduce body fat? When losing weight and reducing body fat, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. How many calories you need to cut depends on various factors, such as your current weight, your body composition, your activity level and your metabolism. However, as a rough guide, you generally need a calorie deficit of around 500-1000 calories per day to lose around half a kilogram to one kilogram of body fat per week. However, it is important to eat a healthy diet and not lose too much weight too quickly so as not to overload the body. If the calorie deficit is too high, it can even counterproductive for the weight loss project. as the body can lose its basal metabolic rate in order to consume less energy. A diet low in carbohydrates is ideal and effective for reducing body fat.
If you are on a diet, it is also very important to do fitness training to build muscle. These also burn more energy at rest and can help to counteract a yo-yo effect and make the diet successful in the long term.
Calculating your fat percentage: how to measure your body fat
To reduce your body fat percentage, you first need to measure your Measure or calculate your body fat. There are several ways to find out how high your fat percentage actually is. One common method is the Calculation using the caliper method. This involves measuring the thickness of the skin folds on different parts of the body. Due to the different fat distribution on the body, the measuring points are slightly different for women and men.
Measuring points for women:
- Triceps - approximately in the middle between shoulder and elbow
- Hip - diagonally slightly above the hip bone
- Thigh - vertically in the middle between crotch and knee
Measuring points men:
- Chest - diagonally in the middle between armpit and nipple
- Belly - vertically slightly next to the navel
- Thigh - vertically in the middle between crotch and knee
Pull up the skin with your thumb and forefinger at the relevant points on the body and use the caliper to measure. You can then enter these values into a body fat calculator to find out your body fat percentage.
Another option is the Measurement using body fat scales or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Scales with this function allow electricity to flow through your body and then measure the electrical resistance. Muscle tissue conducts electricity better than fat - this is how the scale interprets the conductivity of your body and calculates the proportion of body fat and muscle mass.
If you want to calculate your body fat percentage yourself, you can do this with using a measuring tape and the following formula to do this:
- Men: Body fat percentage = ((( 74.11 x waist circumference in cm) - 4464) / weight in kg ) - 8.2
- Women: Body fat percentage = (((74.11 x abdominal circumference in cm) - 3482) / weight in kg ) - 8.2
With this method the bellycircumference in relation to body weight and gender and gives a rough guide value for your own body fat percentage.
Here is an example for men and women:
- Example for menBody fat percentage = (((74.11 x 90 cm) - 4464)/88 kg) - 8.2 = 16.9%
- Example for women: Body fat percentage = (((74.11 x 70 cm) - 3482)/60 kg) - 8.2 = 20.2%
How the right diet helps to reduce body fat
A healthy diet is an important part of reducing your body fat percentage and achieving lasting diet success. Below are some tips on which foods you should prioritize to reach your goal, how often you should eat to boost your metabolism, and what you should consider in your macronutrient distribution.
What foods should you eat to reduce body fat?
You should pay attention to the following when eating to reduce your body fat percentage, sufficient proteinhealthy fats and complex carbohydrates. These include pulses, wholegrain products, meat, fish, nuts, seeds, vegetables and some fruit. Avoid fried, sugary or highly carbohydrate-rich and processed foods.
Proteins and high-quality fat keep you full for a long time, which means you eat less with a low carb diet. feeling of hunger arises.
We have some super tasty low carb recipe ideas for your everyday life so that you can easily put together your own nutrition plan. More recipes you can also find on our blog and on our Instagram channel.
Delicious recipe ideas for losing weight
Here we have for you delicious and healthy recipes that will give you the best support you in losing weight, as they are low in carbohydrates:
- Light soups & stewsThese recipes are easy to prepare, low in calories and varied. The soups and stews are not only easy to digest, but also quick to cook. Why not try our vegan carrot orange ginger soup or a vegan pumpkin and carrot potato soup.
- Vegetarian and vegan dishes: Colorful salads or delicious recipes for stir-fried and baked vegetables are ideal as a low-calorie dinner to lose weight. Why not try our healthy stuffed bell pepper halves. With our Oven Brussels sprouts with cauliflower rice recipe you can create the perfect alternative to conventional rice containing carbohydrates. And thanks to our vegan pumpkin fries you don't have to do without anything, even when losing weight.
- Healthy bowls: LiveFresh offers vegan bowls in many different flavors - with a focus on low carb and high protein. These dishes create the ideal basis for losing weight and can be prepared in just a few minutes. Want to try a recipe for yourself? Then try our healthy Buddha Bowl.
- Alternatives to classic bread & toast: You should avoid bread and toast when losing weight. Instead, try our Avocado toast made from sweet potatoes or make yourself some delicious and healthy wraps. We also have the right low carb wrap recipes for you.
How often should you eat to boost your metabolism and reduce your body fat percentage?
There are different opinions on how often you should eat to boost your metabolism. Some experts recommend eating several small meals throughout the day, while others recommend eating a larger number of meals. However, it is important that these are not sugary snacks, so that the body has to release large amounts of insulin. When insulin is in the blood, fat cannot be broken down. Basically, however, it is important to listen to your body and find out which rhythm suits you best. It is also important not to allow external influences such as work stress or social commitments to tempt you into an unhealthy diet.
In our blog you will find many healthy snacks and recipes that will help you lose weight effectively.
How much protein, carbohydrates and fat should you include in your diet?
The optimal distribution of macronutrients depends on various factors, such as individual calorie requirements, activity level and individual satiety, but men and women also differ in this respect. Some need more protein and high-quality fat and others need a little more carbohydrate to feel good. It all depends on how your body feels. However, cravings and cravings are usually a sign of too little protein and high-quality fat. Also pay attention to how high your protein requirement per day and that you are eating a balanced diet with sufficient nutrients.
Physical activity as an important component in reducing body fat
In addition to diet, regular physical activity and fitness training also play an important role in reducing body fat and building muscle.
Which sports are best suited to reducing body fat?
Any type of exercise can help reduce body fat as long as it is done regularly and with sufficient intensity. However, the most effective sports for burning fat include endurance sports such as jogging, cycling, swimming and rowing. Strength training or training with your own body weight can also help, as it promotes muscle building and therefore increases energy consumption at rest.
How often and for how long should you exercise to burn fat?
To reduce your body fat percentage, you should exercise regularly, preferably at least three to four times a week. The duration of the training sessions should be at least 30 minutes, ideally even 60 minutes or longer. It is important to maintain a moderate to high intensity in order to stimulate the metabolism and increase energy consumption.
How can you increase your energy consumption without exercising?
There are also many ways, energy consumption in everyday life even if you don't exercise regularly. These include, for example, more frequent walks, climbing stairs, gardening or housework. Active leisure activities such as dancing or swimming can also help to increase energy consumption. The important thing is to exercise regularly and maintain an active lifestyle.
Successful implementation: tips for motivation and maintaining stamina
In addition to the right diet and regular physical activity, strong motivation and good stamina are also crucial to achieving the goal of reducing body fat in the long term. In the following section you will find some information on the topic "Motivation and stamina":
How do you stay motivated to achieve your goal?
It can be helpful to set yourself specific goals and regularly check your progress. The support of friends and family or the help of a personal trainer can also increase motivation. It is also important to choose sports that are fun and offer variety.
How can you overcome setbacks?
It is important to acknowledge setbacks as part of the process and not get discouraged. Instead, you should realize that it is normal to have a bad day or a bad week and then keep going with motivation.
How can you integrate the process of reducing body fat into your everyday life?
Here are some tips on how you can integrate the body fat reduction process into your everyday life:
- Set realistic goals: It is important that you set realistic and achievable goals that you can implement in your everyday life.
- Plan your meals in advance: Plan your meals in advance and prepare them if necessary to ensure you always have healthy options available.
- Avoid temptations: Avoid temptations by removing unhealthy foods from your household or buying them less often.
- Use everyday life as a training opportunity: Try to integrate more physical activity into your everyday life, for example by walking, cycling or climbing stairs more often. Or use the evening in front of the TV for a little training or workout with your own body weight.
- Find a training partner: Find someone who will train with you and motivate you to keep at it.
- Reward yourself: Reward yourself for your successes, but avoid rewarding yourself with unhealthy foods. Instead, choose a reward that motivates you, such as a new sports outfit or a wellness weekend.
Keep at it and don't get discouraged if you experience setbacks. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a success and brings you closer to your goal.
Frequently asked questions about reducing body fat:
What is the quickest way to reduce my body fat percentage?
There is no quick method or diet to reduce body fat, as this is a process that requires patience, discipline and time. Healthy and sustainable weight loss is in the range of 0.5-1kg per week, which can be achieved through a combination of a healthy diet low in carbohydrates and physical activity and fitness.
Can I build muscle and reduce fat at the same time?
It is also possible to build muscle mass and reduce fat at the same time, but it requires a targeted diet with effective fitness training. This is best achieved by eating a balanced diet with sufficient protein and calories and doing regular strength training to increase muscle mass. However, it is important to note that building muscle is slower than losing fat, so it may take some time to achieve the desired results.
How long does it take to lose 1% body fat?
The time it takes to lose 1% body fat can vary depending on individual factors such as starting weight, body composition, diet and exercise program. In general, healthy weight loss is considered to be at a rate of 0.5-1kg per week, which is roughly equivalent to losing 0.1% body fat. This means that it can take around 10-20 weeks to reduce 1% body fat if you follow a healthy and sustainable approach.
Which workout reduces body fat most effectively?
In terms of exercise, there is no specific exercise that reduces body fat most effectively as it is a holistic process that requires a combination of physical activity, nutrition and adequate rest. A combination of endurance training such as jogging, cycling or swimming and strength training or fitness such as weight lifting or bodyweight exercises can help to burn calories, build muscle mass and increase metabolism, which in turn helps to reduce body fat. However, it is important that you tailor the workout to your individual needs and abilities and do it regularly to get the best results.