We all know that healthy eating isn't the only way to curb a creeping waistline – exercise helps, too. But if you think you're safe to tuck into sugary, high-fat foods because you run every day, think again. You cannot out-train a poor diet. Diet will amount to 80% of any results achieved. Maintaining a calorie deficit is essential for weight loss, and a balanced intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) plays a crucial role in weight management and overall health. Here are some effective exercise suggestions that will work magic along with a moderate and varied diet.
HIIT training
Try High Intensity Interval Training. If done correctly, it will help you burn the most fat in the least amount of time. For example, instead of going for a 60-minute incline walk on a treadmill, it would be of more benefit to do 6 to 10 30-second sprints. You'll be burning more calories and torching more of the stubborn body fat. HIIT can be considered a form of cardiovascular exercise, which is excellent for burning calories and improving heart health.
Strength exercise
Another great way to help you torch fat is through resistance training. If you've ever tried to do a deadlift or a clean and press you'll understand the effort required to complete the movement. To then repeat this for 10 sets of 10 (or similar), you will find that weight-bearing exercises can be as good as cardio-based exercises to help shed extra weight. Remember to incorporate progressive overload by gradually increasing the intensity, frequency, or duration of your strength training workouts to avoid plateaus.
Why are muscles good for weight loss?
Because they increase your metabolic rate. Muscle tissue requires more energy from the body, even at rest, which means you'll be burning calories even while you're sleeping – and what could be better than that? Don't forget the importance of recovery; allow your body adequate rest between workouts for muscle repair and growth.
Overall, start by adopting some new simple habits and remember that a consistent fitness routine, combined with a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, can help you stay healthy and feel great.