Losing weight is one of the most common goals people have when it comes to improving their health and appearance, and most of the time this means shedding unwanted fat. But have you ever wondered where fat actually goes when we lose it?.

Contrary to popular belief, fat cells don’t just disappear when we lose weight. The truth is a bit more complicated than that. Read on to find out exactly what happens to fat when we burn it off.

Fat 101: A Brief Overview

To understand what happens to fat when we lose it, it’s important to first have a basic understanding of what fat is and how it works in the body.

Fat is essentially stored energy that our body uses for fuel when we don’t get enough energy from the food we eat. When we consume more calories than our body needs, the excess is stored as fat in adipose tissue (a.k.a. fat cells).

When our body needs energy, it breaks down stored fat into fatty acids and glycerol, which can then be used for fuel. This is what happens when we’re in a calorie deficit and trying to lose weight.

But what happens to the fat cells themselves?.

The Fate of Fat Cells

When we lose weight, the fat cells in our body shrink, but they don’t disappear completely (unless we undergo liposuction).

This is because fat cells are part of our body’s organic structure and are necessary for our overall health and function.

However, it is possible to create new fat cells through a process called adipogenesis, which occurs when we consume excess calories and our body needs to store more energy. This is why it can be challenging to maintain weight loss in the long term.

So, when we burn off fat from existing fat cells, what happens to the byproducts?.

The Science of Fat Loss

When stored fat is broken down into fatty acids and glycerol, these byproducts enter the bloodstream and are transported to the liver. The liver metabolizes the fatty acids and converts them into usable energy for the body.

However, this energy is not just used by the muscles we’re actively using at the time. Rather, it’s distributed throughout the body as needed.

This is why some people report feeling more energized and alert when they’re in a calorie deficit (although this varies from person to person).

The glycerol byproduct is converted into glucose, which can also be used as fuel by the body.

But what about the actual fat cells themselves?.

What Happens to Fat Cells?

When we lose weight and fat cells shrink, they don’t just sit there empty. Rather, they undergo a process called apoptosis, which is programmed cell death.

Basically, the body breaks down the components of the fat cells and reabsorbs them into the bloodstream.

Over time, the remnants of the cells are eliminated from the body through the urine and sweat.

The Role of Exercise

While the process of fat loss is primarily driven by a calorie deficit (i.e. burning more calories than you consume), exercise can play a key role in speeding up the process.

This is because exercise not only burns calories, but also triggers the release of hormones that help break down stored fat for energy.

Additionally, strength training can help build lean muscle mass, which can help boost metabolism and burn more calories at rest.

Conclusion

So, to sum it up: when we lose weight, fat cells in our body shrink and undergo apoptosis, and the byproducts of fat breakdown are converted into energy that our body can use.

The remnants of fat cells are then eliminated from the body through urine and sweat.

While losing weight can be challenging, understanding the science behind fat loss can help us approach it in a more informed and effective way.