Why Your Body Doesn’t Like Burning Fat

Why Fat Loss Feels Impossible (And How to Change That)

Burning body fat is tough. And it's supposed to be tough, so it’s never a complaint to me, because difficult things have value. That’s why you don’t see a lot of people walking around with abs. If you’re putting in the work, eating right, and still not seeing the results you want, this post is for you.

In this article, I'm going to explain why your body doesn't like burning fat and give you practical advice on how to overcome this challenge.

Why Fat Loss Feels Like a Battle

Burning fat can feel like a never-ending battle. You work out, you listen to your coach, you’re cautious about your food, but the fat just won’t budge. It feels like no matter what you do, you’ll never get to enjoy your favorite foods without guilt. If that’s how you feel, you’re not alone.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve trained and transformed over 80 individuals one-on-one, and I’ve seen it all—different mindsets, different behaviors, and a lot of frustration around fat loss. This happens to a lot of people. You just need to understand why it happens and how to deal with it. With all that I’ve realized, most people think they lack motivation, but what they really lack is clarity.

Understanding Why It’s Hard to Burn Fat

Let’s clear up one thing: there are no genetic defects stopping you from losing fat. I’ve heard it all—"it’s hereditary," "it’s hormonal," "it’s my metabolism." That’s all nonsense. If you’re human, you can burn fat.

Yes, your external and internal factors affect your fat loss journey. They might slow it down, but they won’t make it impossible. Fat loss that should take 6 months might take 8 months, but no matter where you are in life or what age you are, if you’re reading this and can understand my words, you can get visible abs.

Now, to understand why your body doesn’t like burning fat, you need to understand why it stores fat in the first place. The reason is simple: it’s a survival mechanism. We’re designed to eat until we’re full because, for most of our history, food was unpredictable. Your body still functions as if food is scarce, storing energy as fat to use later.

So when someone tells me, "I didn’t eat anything all week, and I still didn’t lose fat," I remind them that it’s against the laws of the universe to do everything right and not burn fat. Energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred. If you’re eating more energy than you’re burning, that energy will be stored as fat—it’s that simple.

The Hidden Struggle: Your Body’s Resistance to Burning Fat

But here’s the thing—there’s one crucial factor that makes fat loss even harder. And this is where the real struggle begins.

Your own body is tricking you into not burning fat.

Think about it like this: imagine you have a savings account with money in it, but you have no income. Every time you take money out, you feel uneasy because you know you can't replace it. Your body feels the same way about burning fat. It’s designed to hold onto fat as long as possible because fat is energy, and energy means survival.

The moment you start burning fat, your body panics. It doesn’t want to use up that stored energy, so it tricks you into eating something—anything—to stop the fat loss process. It makes you crave food, feel hungrier, and even justify eating by telling yourself it’s ‘healthy.’

This is why fat loss feels so stubborn, and it’s why most people give up. Your body is constantly trying to avoid burning fat because it’s wired to survive, not to give you a six-pack.

Steps to Overcome Your Body’s Resistance

Step 1: Understand Your Body’s Resistance

Now that you know your body is actively resisting fat loss, the first step is to accept this reality. Fat loss isn’t supposed to be easy—it’s a battle against your own biology.

Step 2: Embrace the Discomfort

You’ll feel hungry, irritable, and tempted to give up. That’s normal, and it’s a sign that you’re on the right track. The key is to embrace the discomfort. When you feel those cravings, remember that your body is just trying to trick you into stopping.

Step 3: Push Through the Plateau

As you get leaner, fat loss becomes even harder. Going from 40% to 30% body fat is easier than dropping from 20% to 15% because your body thinks you’re facing a famine. When you hit a plateau, don’t give in to snacking or excuses. Move more, eat less if necessary, and stay disciplined.

Step 4: Accept the Journey

Fat loss is a test of your discipline and your ability to push through discomfort. The journey isn’t supposed to be smooth or easy, but that’s exactly why it’s worth it.

The Bottom Line: Discipline Over Motivation

If I have to sum it all up, it boils down to one word, and that is discipline. And to me, discipline is doing what you are supposed to do regardless of how you feel. You feel like eating that dessert, but you don't because you are not supposed to. Simple as that.

Fat loss is simple, but it’s not easy. It’s about understanding your body, staying disciplined, and pushing through when it gets tough.

If you found this article helpful, check out my other content where I dive deeper into the fundamentals of fat loss and fitness. Remember, you don’t lack motivation—you lack clarity. Stay focused, stay clear, and you’ll achieve the results you want.

For more straightforward advice on physical and mental fitness, subscribe to my newsletter at thegous.com, follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and X. Let’s keep pushing the limits together.