Back 40 Fitness

Let's cut straight to it: if you've been doing hundreds of crunches hoping to lose belly fat, or hitting that inner thigh machine to slim down your legs, you're fighting biology – and biology always wins. The Hard Truth About Spot Reduction Fat loss is systemic, not local. When your body burns fat for energy, it doesn't take marching orders from whatever muscle you're working. Instead, it pulls from fat stores throughout your entire body based on genetics, hormones, and your individual physiology. Think of it this way: when you're low on gas, you don't get to choose which gas...

You've been grinding for weeks, maybe months. The scale won't budge. Your clothes fit the same. You're convinced you've hit the dreaded plateau. But before you blame your metabolism or consider drastic measures, let's get honest about what's really happening. The Hard Truth About Plateaus Here's what most people don't want to hear: true plateaus are rare. What feels like a plateau is usually your body's way of telling you that something fundamental needs attention. The good news? Once you identify and fix these issues, progress often resumes quickly. Let's dive into the five most common culprits. 1. Your Food...

How to lose fat (not muscle) and build the strength that matters for real life Picture this: Two people both lose 15 pounds. Person A drops 12 pounds of fat and 3 pounds of muscle. Person B loses 8 pounds of fat and 7 pounds of muscle. The scale shows the same "success" for both – but who's actually better equipped for life's adventures? If you guessed Person A, you're absolutely right. And this scenario plays out in gyms and kitchens across the country every single day. Why Your Body Wants to Ditch Muscle (And Why That's Bad News) Here's...

In the fitness world, we often hear people say, "I'll start when..." Whether it's joining a group class, attempting a challenging hike, or simply walking into the weight room for the first time – that feeling of "not ready yet" can keep us stuck for months or even years. But what if the relationship between confidence and action works exactly opposite to how most people think? The Backward Equation Most of us have the confidence equation backward. We think: Common Belief: Confidence → Action → Results We wait to feel confident before taking action, believing that once we feel ready,...