Spring is around the corner and so is bikini season. This time of year is when I receive queries from readers concerned that they are not losing very much weight, even though they are dieting and exercising after hibernating on the couch for the dark months of Winter. In the questions on this subject I have received recently, the Sugar readers have all noticed that their clothes are looser and their body's are firmer, but their scales have barely budged. Although they're frustrated, I must say they are doing the right thing — dieting and working out.
They may not be losing much weight, but they are losing fat while gaining muscle, which is great. Muscle tissue is more dense than fat tissue, so it takes up less space. When you lose fat and gain muscle your body measurements will change, like waist circumference, even though your weight doesn't.
To see how muscle mass helps when losing weight, read more.
Muscle also requires more energy and therefore burns more calories than fat. Meaning the more muscle mass you have the faster your metabolism, which is great. If you're looking to lose weight, I think you should alter your goal to change your body composition. Keep on exercising and counting calories, since that is how you effectively lose weight. Make sure to keep your caloric intake above 1200 calories, because if you go under your body goes into famine mode and holds onto fat. Measure your progress by how your clothes feel and remember, the slower you lose weight — two pounds maximum a week — the higher the chances you will keep it off.
No comments:
Post a Comment