For the majority of people who start exercising, "losing weight" is a phrase that sometimes gets used in the wrong context.

Maybe it's not weight you need to lose, maybe it's body fat! see our burning fat page or talk to a trainer for more information - Burning stored body fat & losing weight are completely different but sometimes looked upon as meaning the same thing.

To "lose weight" is to lower the number on the scales which we use to weigh ourselves (kg, stone or lbs). The scales must not be altered at anytime in any way, they must be situated on the same floor, in the same room & to get a true result try to weigh yourself at the same time and on the same day each week.

Benefits to losing weight:

• You can SOMETIMES see the number on the scales dropping
• Clothing sizes drop - Again a visual motivational factor
• Fitness levels increase - workouts have to be intense you will become fitter
• If you can do this you can do anything - because losing weight is one of the hardest goals you will ever achieve, anything else will be easy!

Negatives to losing weight:

• Your workouts have to be regimented & at a very intense level
• Stress on the heart & lungs if not used to exercise
• Not recommended for beginners
• You have to exercise 4 to 5 times per week
• You cannot achieve weight loss without having a good nutrition plan
• Loss from selected areas - depending on how your body reacts to exercise, when people lose weight they tend to lose it from areas of their body where they don't really want to lose it, e.g. lower arms, lower legs & chest.

How to lose weight depends on the individual, we are all different & therefore require specifically designed programmes & regimes.