An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

One very pertinent fact struck me while I was studying during medical school years ago: the lifespan of fat cells. I was reading for histology class (the study of tissues and cells) specifically about adipocytes (fat cells), and I learned that the average lifespan of a fat cell is almost 10 years. 10 years! Think about that. That means that the fat cells we have in our body just wait around for years ready to suck up any circulating fat we may consume. This is why temporary diets don't work well. Once those fat cells exist, weight fluctuation becomes almost guaranteed: we diet, lose weight, only to gain it back again over time. The best solution in this situation is prevention! When we consume excess calories, the body responds by trying to make room to store it, and our fat cells enlarge to a point. If these fat cells become full and more calories continue to be consumed, it is theorized that stem cells begin to produce more fat cells. Not forcing these cells to divide in the first place should be a priority. This is why I think it is so crucial to set boundaries for ourselves early... Once we let ourselves "go", we are going to struggle to keep those fat cells empty the rest of our lives (or at least for a decade or so). 

---

But, here we are. Whether we're overweight or not, there are still only two ways to control the fat cells in our body: how much energy we consume (food) and how much energy we expend (exercise). It really is that simple... And don't let anyone tell you otherwise, they're probably selling something. 

---