Exercise Physiology Made Easy

Exercise Physiology Made Easy

Myth Busting: Don't Mistake Fat Burning For Fat Loss

Feb 03, 2026
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a blue plate with the words burn fat spelled on it
Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash

Substrate Usage (Which ‘Fuel’ Are You Using?)

OK, let’s jump straight into the science which has been misunderstood by so many, for so long. At the end of this chapter, I’ll include an image which makes the whole process easier to understand.

Energy for exercise and physical activity comes from the generation of ATP molecules. These molecules can ultimately come from the breakdown and usage of certain ‘fuels’ within the body. Generally, there are 3 fuels used:

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