What is the set point in weight loss?

Question:
I've heard of something called a "set point" in relation to weight loss. What is it? Another real and mysterious part of losing weight, or nothing to be concerned about?

My answer:

The “set point” is the range of weight at which your body is most comfortable.

Your weight is the sum total of your bones, organs, fat, muscles and other tissue. You can have influence over the weight of fat and muscle in your body, but generally not the weight of your organs and other tissues.

Your body builds fat cells as a baby, in puberty and again in pregnancy. Once we have a fat cell, we cannot get rid of it. The number of fat cells remain the same. What we have control over (through exercise and healthy eating) is the amount of fat each cell contains.

However, we need to take the emphasis off the number on the scale and focus on body composition – fat compared to lean body mass. Two people can weigh exactly the same on a scale and yet be tremendously different in body composition. Since muscle weighs more than fat, the scale weight can be deceiving. Instead, pay attention to how you feel and how your clothes fit.

The Diet Channel offers an article on 3 ways to defeat your set point.


Have you found a good way to defeat your set point?