Weight Loss Naturally Basics

Weight loss refers to the loss of total body mass in an effort to improve fitness, health, and/or appearance. Weight loss occurs when an individual is in a state of negative energy balance. When the human body is spending more energy in work and heat than it is gaining from food or other nutritional supplements, it will use stored reserves of fat or muscle.

It is not uncommon for some people who are currently at their ideal body weight to seek additional weight loss in order to improve athletic performance.

However, others may be driven by achieving a more attractive body image. Consequently, being underweight is associated with health risks such as difficulty fighting off infection, osteoporosis, decreased muscle strength.

The least intrusive weight loss methods, and those most often recommended by physicians, are adjustments to eating patterns and increased physical exercise. Physicians will usually recommend that their overweight patients combine a reduction of the caloric content of the diet by inceasing their physical exercises.