Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie934
I know this sounds weird but when you are losing weight, where does it go? I know the fat cells just shrink right you don't actually lose them but where does that extra matter go or what does it turn in to?
Just wondering.
Good question!
Fat is a stored energy source for your body. When we eat more calories than our bodies need to function, the excess calories are stored in fat cells for use as an energy source in the future. Your fat cells are basically storage containers for ... fat. It's a liquid fat - it actually looks a lot like Crisco oil.
When you create a calorie deficit in your body -- by eating fewer calories and/or burning off calories with exercise -- it's forced to dip into its stored energy reserves for fuel. It takes the stored fat from those fat cells and metabolizes it as an energy source for your body functions. That's how we lose fat - our bodies are forced to use stored fat as fuel.
You're right that the fat cells shrink once they're emptied but never go away entirely. The cellular struture is left behind, ready to store fat again as soon as we start eating more calories than we use daily. It's my entirely unscientific opinion that this is why it's so darn easy for us to regain weight - the fat cells are already there and just waiting for us to eat too many calories so that they can plump up again.
