Fat Cells

Adults have between 30 and 40 billion fat cells.  They swell and shrink like sponges depending upon the amount of fat inside them.  They may become very small, but they never disappear.  Fat cells are as protected as brain cells during starvation.  The explanation has to do with the distant past when famines were frequent.  A ready-to-fill supply of fat cells ensured that energy stores could be replenished as soon as food became available.  Therefore, to an extent, we are all programmed toward being fat.  Storing fat is useful and lifesaving, which is why it is jealously guarded by the body.

Fat cells appear in early childhood but more develop  later, particularly at puberty.  Additional fat cells are found only when a person is at least 60% above ideal weight for his or her height and age.  So, if you are heavy and always have been, you need to shrink the cells you have by weight management.

Copyright 2011  Lynn Borenius Brown

For more information about video classes and individual sessions, please visit: http://EmpoweredDieter.org

Heredity

Welcome to Empowered Dieter - your path to achieving weight management success! 

Overweight parents tend to produce overweight offspring even when their baby is adopted and raised by a thin couple.  And, identical twins remain remarkably close in weight until early puberty, when environmental factors exert a strong pull. 

Heredity seems to be particularly influential in where fat settles.  It also determines the strategy your body uses to get rid of excess calories.  So, heredity does have something to do with being overweight. 

This genetic factor partially explains why some individuals can eat an enormous amount of food and stay thin while others may eat small portions and gain weight.  Hearty eaters who are lean are less efficient at using the calories in food.  If you are overweight, there is a chance that your body is a more efficient food burner.  You have probably inherited the ability to use food efficiently and store the excess, unused calories as fat. 

But all is not lost. If you are knowledgable about your body and your food needs and put the information into practice, you will be fine

Next week, we'll talk about fat cells.




Copyright 2011  Lynn Borenius Brown

For more information about video classes and individual sessions, please visit: http://EmpoweredDieter.org

Welcome!

Welcome to Empowered Dieter - your path to achieving weight management success! 


Each week, I'll be giving you important information regarding how to lose weight and keep it off without any gimmicks.


I'm Dr. Lynn Brown, a counselor and educator.  I'll be your guide on this journey toward being in control of your weight loss.


 This educational approach to weight management uses an holistic approach to weight management, dealing with both attitude and habit changes. Because you are participating in this program, you’ll learn how to take control of your eating and begin listening to how you feel about the choices you are making. You will determine what eating pattern is personally-appropriate, where food belongs in your life, and use your natural desires and abilities to help you get what you want—long-term weight management success.

For more information about video classes and individual sessions, please visit:  http://EmpoweredDieter.org