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Think of weight loss or bodybuilding and the two words that immediately strike your mind are body fat and calories. Quite common to find people who are looking the calorie count on every food carton they plan to buy. Sometimes they even inquire if the product is made for fat loss or muscle building and does it qualifies in good fat or not. However, if you happen ask that person to explain it then most of them give you a blank expression as if it is the most naive question that could be asked. Ask them some very easy questions like what exactly does the term calories mean, what is the relationship between fat and calories, what is the best way to maintain a good fat level, do you need body fat, how are calories stored in your body . These questions sound quite simple but to an average joe they might sound a lot technical. Here is a technical definition of calorie that can be used by everybody - "The technical definition of a food calorie (kilocalorie) is the amount of heat required to raise 1 kilogram (1 liter) of water 1 degree Centigrade. A calorie is simply a measure of heat energy. When food is burned, it releases a certain amount of heat (energy), depending on the type of food. The more calories that are in a food, the more energy will be released when it is burned." This definition comes from the one of the most reputed bodybuilding course known as 'truth about building muscle'. The word calorie is commonly used to describe the amount of energy in the food. It is also used to represent the amount of energy that is stored in the body as adipose tissue (body fat) and stored carbohydrates in form of glycogen. This brings to an interesting way of looking at body fat also. Body fat should be considered as a reserve of energy that your body stores. By burning off body fat we mean releasing calories from that storage tank and using them like a fuel for various body activities. That should explain to you why most good weight loss programs say that not all fat is bad and that why certain basic amount of fat is so necessary for body functions. Also, this should bring out the body fat equation in a clear manner to you. If you are idle or not working your body is simply not consuming any fat hence the fat accumulates in your body. If you are active and spending energy the same fat burns away like a fuel used in those activities. Its a simple equation where the fat stored in body is equivalent to calorie intake by calorie spend subtracted. You need to understand the body fat balance equation. When you are idle and not working, your body's consumption of fat goes down and hence as a result you start accumulating it. If you do that for too long then get ready for becoming a fat tanker. On contrast, activity reduces that fat storage and keeps you in a better shape. The equation in itself is quite simple. The fat stored in body is equivalent to calorie intake by calorie spend subtracted. This should clear up the idea of calorie as well as body fat. If you are looking for some good bodybuilding program that is effective in fat loss too, then you can read more about it in the links given in resource box.
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