Weight Training

The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 30% of U.S. adults are currently obese. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University is projecting that 86% of Americans will be either overweight or obese by 2030. That is one scary possibility! The good news is that regular physical activity, along with proper nutritional habits, is all it takes to be at a healthy weight. (This is assuming, of course, that no underlying health issues are affecting your weight.)

So, how does weight training factor into this equation? Well, we all know weight training is great for building muscle. But it also promotes weight loss. This naturally comes with muscle building. Think about all the serious bodybuilders you know or have read about. Do they survive on rice cakes and carrots? No way! They eat a ton of calories. But the bulk of their ability to burn lots of calories isn’t a direct result of bodybuilding.

Yes, it’s true that trading fat in for lean muscle gives you a tighter, shapelier body; however, you’re not going to lose pounds on end while you sleep. An article featured on the Runner’s World website a few years ago dispelled that myth. It turns out that the basal metabolic rate, or metabolism at rest, is something our genes largely control.

So while increasing muscularity isn’t a magic bullet for burning lots of calories, it does assist with weight loss. You will burn a few extra calories, during the workout mostly, so that’s always a plus. In addition, weight training is often a sport of devotion. It becomes a lifestyle for many, and it’s this drive that will help you make healthier food choices.

You’ll likely get to the point where partying all weekend cramps your bodybuilding lifestyle. Those loaded nachos will leave a bad taste in your mouth as you realize all those calories are undoing your hard work in the gym. Chugging that umpteenth bottle of Heinekens will look less appealing as you discover hangovers and weight training don’t go well together. (Okay, so I’m exaggerating on that last one, but you get the idea.) The bottom line is that you’ll lose weight because serious bodybuilding requires a healthier lifestyle.

Tags: weight loss, Weight Loss Training, Weight Training

This entry was posted on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 11:21 am and is filed under Weight Loss Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.