Will Losing 30 lbs Make a Big Difference in Physical Attractiveness? (Find Out)
June 5, 2022 June 5, 2022
Are you wondering whether or not losing 30 pounds will make a difference in your appearance? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some say yes, and some say no.
While beauty can be subjective, research has shown universal standards for beauty.
These standards assess attractiveness irrespective if someone is healthy or not. But, 30 being pounds overweight can change your appearance in a variety of ways, and losing 30- 40 pounds will be noticeable.
Let’s dive in and talk about the changes you can expect by losing 30 pounds as it relates to physical attractiveness.
Will Losing 30 lbs Make a Big Difference in Physical Attractiveness?
Yes, losing 30 lbs make a big difference in physical attractiveness and improving how you feel when you look in the mirror.
Research shows that the average weight reduction required to make the face more attractive was 2.38kg/m2 (for women) and 2.59kg/m2 (for men). It translates to approximately 6.3 and 8.2 kgs, or roughly 14 and 18 pounds for men and women of average height.
Losing 30 lbs will make a tremendous change in your facial features and body appearance. You will look more attractive after losing this much weight.
If you want to look good, you should start by looking at your body shape. The way you carry your body weight affects your overall appearance. For example, if you have a large belly, you might want to lose weight from your stomach area.
However, if you have a flat tummy, you don’t necessarily need to lose weight from your abdomen. Instead, it would help to focus on building your abs and other muscles. It will give you a well-defined waistline.
But, it is important to know that you absolutely cannot spot reduce when it comes to fat.
Your body will choose where you lose weight from first. You can, however, do exercises to strengthen muscle underneath so that when you do lose weight, you have a solid foundation.
Expert say, Staying in shape enhances your looks and makes you attractive. It is normal to witness fluctuation in your body weight, but staying healthy and in shape is important for improved aesthetic appearance.
Hence, you must know how much fat is stored in each part of your body. It will help determine if you need to lose weight or not.
How Much Is Fat Stored In Your Body?
Many say that the amount of fat stored in your body can be determined by calculating your BMI (body mass index). If your BMI is above 25, then you are considered overweight. However, if your BMI is below 18.5, then you are underweight.
Why the BMI is Inaccurate
I do not like using the BMI, and let me tell you why.
The BMI (body mass index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It is used to determine whether a person is underweight, overweight, or obese.
BMI does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, bone density, or body fat percentage. As a result, it can be inaccurate for some people.
For example, athletes and bodybuilders often have a high BMI because of their large muscle mass. However, this does not necessarily mean that they are overweight or obese.
BMI is also not always accurate for pregnant women or older adults.
In general, the BMI can be a useful tool for assessing weight, but it should not be used as the sole criterion for determining whether someone is healthy.
A More Accurate Way to Measure Body Fat
There are a variety of ways to measure body fat. I would recommend any of these methods over the BMI any day.
Skinfold calipers
Skinfold calipers are a tool that measure body fat by judging the thickness of fat that you pinch between your fingers, such as on the abdomen or inner thighs. Have you ever heard of the term “pinch an inch?”
You can pick up a pair of these pretty easily. You can consider getting a pair to use to easily measure the amount of body fat you have.
Skinfold measurements are generally more accurate than BMI for determining body fat. However, they are still subject to error, especially if you are not measuring the same exact area each time.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) uses electrical currents to estimate body fat.
The test involves passing a small electrical current through the body. The current encounters resistance when it passes through water, which is present in large quantities in lean tissue.
Fat, on the other hand, contains very little water and offers little resistance to the current. By measuring the amount of resistance encountered, BIA can provide an estimate of body fat percentage.
BIA is a quick and easy test that can be performed at the doctor’s office or at fitness clubs and is generally considered to be safe and accurate.
However, it can also be inaccurate, especially if the person being tested is hydrated or dehydrated.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a more reliable method of measuring body fat.
DXA uses two different X-ray energies to measure the amount of fat in the body. The advantages of DXA over other methods include its high accuracy, its ability to measure regional body fat distribution, and its low radiation exposure.
As a result, DXA is the preferred method for measuring body fat in both research and clinical settings.
Underwater Weighing
The most accurate way to measure body fat is by using underwater weighing, which involves measuring the amount of water displaced by the body. However, this method is also expensive and not widely available.
The Easiest and Best method to Measure Body Fat
The easiest method you can use to assess changes in your body fat as you lose weight is to simply measure your body.
You can use a measuring tape that you can buy in any store. These measuring tapes are typically round in shape and the tape winds up inside. You can also just use a measuring tape that a seamstress would use. You can find these in the craft or sewing aisle.
You should measure the circumference of the areas you want to lose body fat from.
For example, start measuring around your abdomen, waist, upper arms, and thighs every week to see if you are losing body fat.
Write these numbers down in a journal and track them every week. You will be able to clearly see results this way, and not have to worry about the lying scale.
Scales are not always accurate when it comes to assessing true fat loss. Don’t let the scale tear you down.
According to the National Institutes of Health, most people store about 10% to 15% of their total body weight as fat. But this percentage varies depending on your age, gender, height, and ethnicity.
People often get confused between weight loss and fat loss, misinterpreting both. However, fat loss is a much more realistic goal than weight loss. Your weight is not always the reliable way to suggest losing fat, as your weighing scale will not be able to differentiate between the two. Remember how that scale lies?
Fat Loss is more important than weight loss.
When we talk about weight loss, it includes the loss of muscle and water weight, but it can consist of mostly water weight.
This can cause you to get discouraged.
As the muscles are a crucial part of the whole body, losing muscle mass can be detrimental. It is essential to maintain muscle mass as it reduces with aging.
Do you know that if you have more muscle mass, you will burn more calories at rest?
Losing Fat and Gaining or Maintaining Muscle
As we know that losing weight in the form of fat is important but preserving your muscle mass is equally important. You should include plenty of protein in your diet and a nutrient-rich diet to lose body fat effectively without impacting your muscle mass.
Here are some of the tips I recommend to get started with a calorie deficit
Starting a Calorie Deficit
A calorie deficit is important when we talk about losing weight. The right mix of exercising and eating fewer calories is essential to losing fat without losing muscle. Start with reducing intake by 500 calories per day to prevent muscle loss.
You could even start lower than this (200-300 calories).
Include more raw vegetables and fruits in your diet, low-fat dairy, whole grain food, and lean protein foods. Avoid calorie-dense foods such as high sugar drinks, fried food, and processed meat.
Eat Plenty of Protein
As we know, protein is a building block of our body, and it helps in building mass. Focus on increasing your protein intake to get the best results. It produces the enzymes that help with digestion and energy production, support immune health and regulate fluid balance.
High-intensity exercises followed by a high protein intake make a noticeable difference. It is worth noting that the protein needs vary depending on physical activity, age, sex, and health. The recommended protein intake is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. You can increase this amount when trying to gain muscle.
Exercise
If you want to lose fat and maintain muscle mass, exercising is an excellent strategy to focus. A study suggests that older adults who are into weight training and cardio at least 3 times a week and dieting are likely to retain more muscles than those who don’t exercise.
What does losing 30 pounds do to your body?
So, what do 30 pounds of fat look like? It labels as obese and may lead to several health issues. Reduction in body fat with regular physical activity and a healthy diet can help you achieve your fitness goals.
Do you want to know what losing 30 pounds looks like? Here we go:
Benefits of Losing 30 lbs
Improved Brain Function
Various studies suggest obesity hampers the overall brain function, memory, and thinking skills. After weight loss, certain body parts become more active. A survey of 20 overweight women suggests that 20 overweight women perform better on a memory test after losing weight.
Lesser Health Risk
There are many health diseases associated health problems with obesity. Weight loss is effective in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. It also helps minimize osteoarthritis, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Improved Sex Life
Studies show that obese people have a low interest in sex. Most overweight men have erectile dysfunction. 16 people revealed that they had an improved sex life after weight loss.
Mood Upliftment
Weight loss is proven to give a boost to mental health and mood. People experience lesser anxiety, fatigue, depression, and anger after losing weight. They regain their confidence and feel more active in their day-to-day life. A healthy weight and a good mood go hand-in-hand together.
Prevent Cancer
Studies show that weight loss helps lower-risk prostate, breast, cancers, endometrial, and colon cancer. Your battle to fight cancer will have more evens when maintaining a healthy weight you have cancer. People suffering from obesity are at a higher risk of cancer.
Side effects of Losing 30 lbs
Lower Metabolism
Although dieting focuses on improving the nutritional value of your food, it is also associated with limiting your food intake. As the amount of food you consume reduces, your body starts processing it slowly to preserve it for a longer time.
It leads to lower metabolism that hinders weight loss. Exercises such as strength training can help you build muscle mass and improve metabolism to some extent.
Skin loosening
One of the most unwanted effects of losing weight is hanging skin. Extra folds on your breast, thighs, chin, belly, and thighs. The excess skin after shedding weight is bothering and affects your physical appearance adversely. You need to consult a plastic surgeon to get rid of extra skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I Look Different if I Lose 30 Pounds?
You might notice a slimmer waist and a flatter face after losing weight. One thing is certain: Losing 30 pounds or more can make a significant difference in your body, regardless of your starting weight or goal weight.
Does losing 30 pounds change your face?
Losing 30 pounds can lead to skin laxity. You may notice changes in large body areas like the arms, stomachs, thighs, and buttocks. It could also signify that you have a difference in the face.
Why have I lost 30 pounds but look the same?
The weight you lose can be a mix of both fat and muscle. The body can look smaller but not slimmer as a result. Fat loss is, however, exactly what it sounds. The body will look leaner and more toned if it loses fat but keeps the muscle.
How long does it take to lose 30 lbs?
A gradual and sustained weight loss will increase your chances of retaining it in the longer run. So plan to lose 1 to 2 pounds each week. You can lose 30 pounds in 3.75 to 7.5 months if you make the right changes and keep your commitments.
Losing weight fast often leads to losing water weight and muscle weight. Such types of strategies are only helpful in the shorter run. You are likely to regain weight easily, causing more adverse consequences to your body.
Conclusion
Yes, losing 30 lbs make a big difference in physical attractiveness. You are likely to improve overall mental and physical health by losing excessive weight. You will appear more active, energetic, and impressive as you get a slimmer waist and defined facial features after losing excessive fat.
