The best thing about exercising to lose weight is that you’re doing your body a much bigger favor than just trying to lose a few pounds to look better. Getting out of the medical “obese” category makes your heart pump more effectively and your lungs work better. I know how important actually losing pounds is to you, but statistically, dieters have better long-term weight loss success rates if they also work to build muscle mass.
That might seem counter-intuitive, and I know I certainly didn’t want to look bulky, but the normal man or woman will never look like a body builder unless they’re intentionally following a specialized routine to do just that, drinking mass gain protein, things like that. Instead, by just developing a firm toned look, women will be able to lose weight and burn off fat without losing their curves, and men will be able keep their build without looking like a stick. The other reason developing muscle is so important when you lose fat is because muscle actual burns fat and contributes to weight loss. So instead of the two goals working against each other, you can get a synergistic effect as you eat healthy and also do a little bit of weight lifting.
The only caution I would give you is to not put too much stock into the number the scale says, because, as you may have heard, muscle does weigh more than fat, so you may feel like you’re getting worse even when you’re not. Using measuring tape to calculate the circumference of your thighs, arms, hips, and waist on a weekly basis will give you a much more accurate idea of your progress. As you get toned, your body’s muscles will tighten in and give you a much smoother look even if you haven’t lost much weight yet.
Finally, don’t ever skip meals, and consider eating six small meals throughout the day to most effectively burn fat and lose weight. Your body’s metabolism drops rapidly after you go a few hours without eating, and all your hard workouts and dieting will be in vain if you don’t give your body the fuel it needs. Eating isn’t your enemy, it’s just something you always need to be careful about.
