Why are we the size we are?

There are three main factors to your body size:

1) Exercise habits
2) Eating habits
3) Genetics

Note: Some people may have certain diseases or conditions that can play a role in making one obese. If you fell that this may apply to you, see your doctor or health care professional for diagnosis


Although genetics does play a role in your body size, it is a small one. Exercise and Eating habits are by far the biggest factors in determining ones body size. The causes of obesity are normally inactivity, eating the wrong foods and eating to much.

3 factors play a crucial role in how much fat and lean body tissue we have on our body

Food and Drink Consumed (Energy/Calories In)
Physical Activity (Energy/Calories Out)
Metabolism/BMR (Energy/Calories Out)

Metabolism or BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the amount of energy or calories your body (at rest) burns in breathing, cell production, heart beat, etc. It excludes all physical activity

Change in Energy = Energy In - Energy Out

How To Lose the Fat

In the above equation, change in energy stores also means change in fat stores (mostly). In order to lose fat you must either change Energy In (how many calories you consume), Energy Out (calories burned in physical activity), or both. To lose fat and achieve a healthy body size you will need to have both good Exercise and Eating habits (eating 5-6 small healthy meals during day with resistance training and some cardio has been shown to be the best way to lose fat) . Both are essential. Increases in lean body tissue (muscle, etc) due to exercise will increase your metabolism rates which helps to burn more calories (Muscle is your bodies most metabolically active tissue). If your under weight try eating healthy foods high in calories and do strength training.

I would recommend implementing changes to your exercise and eating habits slowly over time (more likely to become permanent). Changing to quick can be difficult to implement, and if you work out to hard in the beginning you could cause injury or just be so sore you wont want to workout again. If you trying to lose fat, it is recommended that you try to lose about 1-2 pounds a week. If you hit a plateau in losing fat and you know you still need to lose more fat (Ideal Body Size), you may need to just continue to improve your eating and exercise program.