Shedding unwanted fat requires unlocking the atoms in triglycerides by a process known as oxidation. When that happens, 16 percent of the stored fat metabolizes into water, which is then released via bodily fluids like sweat, tears and urine.
The byproducts of fat metabolism leave your body: As water, through your skin (when you sweat) and your kidneys (when you urinate).
The lungs are the primary organ used to remove fat from your body. 1 During the energy-conversion process, fat leaves the body either as carbon dioxide when you exhale, or as water in the form of urine or sweat. 67 Body fat does not turn into muscle or exit the body through the colon.
The other way to get rid of excess water in your body from the fat conversion is through the kidneys and out through the bladder. You may notice when you start to lose weight that you'll need to urinate more often. That's because your body is attempting to get rid of those byproducts.
The sweet smell is from ketonuria, or a buildup of ketones. Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy.
As you add muscle mass and lose fat, the reading on your bathroom scale may not change much, but your pants will be looser. That's a better mark of progress. Measured around, your waistline should be less than 35 inches if you're a woman or less than 40 inches if you're a man to reduce heart and diabetes risks.
The correct answer is that fat is converted to carbon dioxide and water. You exhale the carbon dioxide and the water mixes into your circulation until it's lost as urine or sweat.
The “whoosh effect” is a term for the noticeable weight loss that some people report while following low carb diets such as a keto diet. Some people believe that the whoosh effect happens when fat cells lose fat and fill with water. Researchers have not scientifically proven the whoosh effect, however.
Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.
The Science of Fat Loss
Think of it like a balloon losing air—it deflates, but doesn't disappear immediately. Over time, your body adjusts, but the jiggly feeling can be a temporary step along the way.
When you burn body fat, 84% is exhaled as carbon dioxide, and the remaining 16% is excreted as water. [3] Therefore, fat that leaves the body is literally released into the air. So if you've ever wondered, 'Do you lose fat through your breath? ' the answer is technically, and under the right circumstances, yes!
Drinking water can temporarily boost your metabolism. According to the National Institute of Health, drinking 500 ml of water can increase your metabolic rate by 30 percent for about an hour. A higher metabolism means your body burns calories faster, which is crucial for weight loss.
Compared to women with a normal BMI, women who were overweight or obese had a greater likelihood of developing abnormal daytime urine frequency and nocturia, with p values ≤ 0.01. The ORs of overweight and obese women were 3.1 and 5.3, respectively, for experiencing wet OAB in comparison to women with a normal BMI.
This process destroys fat cells and forms ketones as an end-product, which can be detected in the urine. A significant production of ketones will lead to a more oily appearance in the urine. Some people experiencing ketosis may also notice foul breath, increased thirst, reduced appetite and a headache.
CDC further recommends that you need to lose around 5-10% of your total body weight to notice changes. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds, you need to lose roughly 8.3-17 pounds to notice a difference.
Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.
Changes to your urine
You may pee more than usual during the first week or two. Your urine may smell fruity, as soon as 12 hours after being on a keto diet. This is caused by one of the types of ketones called acetones that are produced during ketosis.
REASON: For extreme low-carbers: When ketones (the by-product of a body burning fat instead of carbs) become too elevated in the blood, they can release an alcohol-like odor.