Final answer:
Maggie's weight loss can be attributed to the metabolic conversion of stored fat into carbon dioxide and water, which was then exhaled and excreted. This process was a result of a consistent calorie deficit created by a combination of careful dieting and increased physical activity, leading to sustainable fat loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Maggie lost eight pounds of fat, she underwent a process where her body broke down stored fat for energy through a series of metabolic reactions. The lost biomass, essentially stored energy in the form of fat, was converted into carbon dioxide and water, which Maggie exhaled and excreted from her body. This biochemical process is part of a calorie deficit created by consuming fewer calories than she expended, often achieved through a combination of diet and physical activity.
As supported by the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), a successful approach to weight loss involves a low-calorie, low-fat diet complemented by high levels of physical activity. Consistent exercise, specifically about one hour per day, combined with monitoring food portions and energy intakes versus expenditures, plays a critical role in the sustainable reduction of body fat. Additionally, a slower, steady pace in weight loss is more likely to result in long-term success.