Article # 9. Difference between Burning Calories and Burning Fat

Difference between Burning Calories and Burning Fat

There is a difference between burning calories and burning fat. The main aim of exercising should be burning body fat and not simply burn calories. Light exercise burns calories from sugar and other carbohydrates, also called "energy calories". This leads to a loss of "water weight" and a decrease in metabolism. To target calories stored in body fat, there needs to be a high intensity exercise regime combined with weight training.

Exercising to burn fat

In order to lose fat, you need to keep some basic rules in mind. During aerobics exercises (cardio), the body goes through several stages before it reaches the point where it's burning fat. For the first 10-15 minutes of exercise, you burn only sugar calories (not derived from fat). In order for your body to utilize the energy stored in fat, you need to reach your target heart rate. This target heart rate is a range that depends on your age and fitness level (beginner, average or higher than average). It is the heart rate that ensures enough oxygen is available to burn body fat. Not only should the heart rate reach in this range to start burning fat, it should also be maintained during the length of the exercise so that calories from fat continue to be utilized.

Burning fat at rest

In order to burn fat even when you are not exercising, the rate of metabolism should be increased. This uses energy stored in fat, so all activities that increase metabolism are helpful in trying to reduce body fat. The best way to increase metabolism is anaerobic exercise such as weight training.