Without a certain amount of fat protecting our organs and other internal structures, we would quickly die due to an inability to regulate body temperature and perform various bodily functions properly.

There are two locations in your body where fat can be found:

• Subcutaneous - fat that is stored right under your skin.

• Visceral - fat that is stored around your organs.

In addition, there are multiple types of fat cells in the human body; however, there are two that you must understand:

• White fat is the type of fat you are trying to get off of your body. White fat cells store excess energy that could be needed for later. White fat contributes to your hormonal profile, regulating the amount of estrogen, cortisol, insulin, leptin and growth hormone you have in your body.

• White fat is not the enemy - excessive white fat is the enemy.

• Excessive white fat increases estrogen and cortisol levels, subsequently lowering levels of leptin and growth hormone. Keeping your levels of white fat in check is key not only to your body image, but to the health of your body as well.

• Brown fat is used to produce heat. Our actual concentration of brown fat does not change much as we age. We have relatively the same amount of brown fat now as we did when we were infants.

• Because of its thermogenic properties, a large amount of research is done on converting white fat into brown fat; however, this is not a good way to increase your rate of fat loss. There is not enough research backing this process for us to recommend any method on this website.

• If you come across any information claiming that brown fat conversion is the secret to fat loss, steer clear as this information is likely based on faulty science.