For some people, this is the result of an increase in daily food intake, often referred to as simply overeating. For other people, this is the result of a decrease in daily physical activity, or not enough exercise. But many people experience gradual weight gain even though their eating and daily activity habits remain essentially the same. What could be responsible for this insidious process so common to so many adults in our modern world?

The underlying cause of body fat gain is muscle tissue loss. With the exception of those who perform regular strength training exercise, men and women average a three to six pound muscle loss every decade starting from the mid 20's. This is not simply because of the aging process but because we are not doing enough muscle building and maintaining work to hold on to it.

Our technology driven lifestyles have removed anything that even vaguely resembles the 'work' that used to be in our ancestors lives. The result of this is that we simply do not need to use our muscles, so the body does not keep what is not being used. The metabolism (our body's engine) slows down, food that we eat doesn't get burnt for energy and we become fat.

Not only do we become overweight but our personal appearance suffers as our body shape takes on an unappealing shape and becomes soft and flabby. Our physical performance also suffers as we lose our strength, energy, vitality and our get up and go.
You might be thinking "I just need to go on a diet and I will lose the fat".

But we have a problem here, one out of every two people are currently on a 'diet'. And guess what ? 95% of them fail to lose weight permanently. A diet works in opposition to the body's inbuilt systems that are hardwired into our genes. When calories are reduced below a certain level the metabolism automatically slows so less fuel is burnt. If the situation continues the body will even use up its precious muscle tissue for fuel rather than let its fat stores go.

This is how the body stops itself starving. It doesn't know you only want to fit into that little black dress or those old pants. Anything that reduces the metabolic rate and causes muscle tissue loss is totally counter productive and will not work long term. Which is really what you want isn't it? A strong, lean, shapely, firm body loaded with energy and vitality. Well, you will not get that from restrictive food diets.

What you actually need is a proper exercise program that contains mainly strength training exercise. This will rebuild lost muscle tissue, speed up your metabolic rate and start burning up those stored calories. Throw in a couple of interval training sessions each week for the perfect exercise program.

Your eating plan should be just as simple. Eat within an hour of waking up and eat every 2-3 hours throughout the day. Eat 4-6 (or more) whole food, natural, small meals (not processed) that each contains a source of protein and lots of raw and cooked vegetables.

Focus on doing what you need to do rather than on things you don't need to do and that is all it takes. Eating properly will give you the energy you need to do justice to your exercise program so you can boost your body's engine and get it working for you again.

Try these simple rules and watch your body change back into what you dream of.