“Fat loss workouts” are probably one of the biggest cons in the fitness industry.
There is no workout out there that can magically melt away body fat. What most of these “fat-burning” routines do is leave you utterly exhausted and starving, without delivering the results you hoped for.
I'm sure you've seen them or even attempted them in the past. You move and jump around like you've just drank 5 cups of coffee in a row for 30 minutes.
And this is a fat igniting, fat melting workout!
Is there really any such thing as fat burning workouts?
The truth is, losing fat comes down to one simple thing: being in a calorie deficit.
You can sweat buckets and grind through HIIT sessions seven days a week, but if you’re not in a calorie deficit, the scale isn’t going to budge the way you want it to. You’ll just end up frustrated and disheartened.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently wrong with HIIT or other intense workout styles.
They’re great for improving fitness, endurance, and even mental toughness. Just don’t expect to roll out of bed the next day with a shredded six-pack because of it. Trust me, I’ve been down that road before, and it doesn’t lead to the destination you’re imagining.
In case you didn't know, the aerobic energy system primarily uses carbohydrates and fats for fuel in the presence of oxygen. So when you're sitting, driving to work, walking, making dinner, doing light exercise and so on your body is using carbs and fat for energy.
Meaning you are literally BURNING FAT for fuel on a daily basis.
FAT LOSS is a result of being in a consistency calorie deficit over the period of weeks and months.
So, here's what I would recommend to focusing on instead with your training program.
Focusing on strength training in my opinion is a smarter way to go. By building muscle mass, you not only start to transform and reshape your body but also get the added benefit of looking leaner and more defined.
In other words, strength training helps you get that “toned” and “sculpted” look people are after. To stereotype, if you are a male you may want to build your upper body, if you're female you may want to build up your lower body. The best way to build muscle is to strength train.
Another bonus of building muscle mass? It increases your metabolism.
Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it burns more calories even when you’re just sitting around. For example, a pound of muscle burns around 6 calories a day, while a pound of fat only burns about 4. It may not seem like a lot, but over time, those little differences add up.
To make the most of your fat loss journey, combine strength training with a proper calorie deficit. Then, sprinkle in some cardio for good measure. Cardio will help improve your cardiovascular health, boost your mood, and give you more energy throughout the day.
The reason I’m telling you all this? I’ve fallen for the quick-fix fat loss schemes more times than I’d like to admit.
I’ve been that person trying every “magic” solution out there.
When it inevitably fails, you’re left feeling demotivated and even more desperate to look like the models in fitness magazines. And that’s where these marketing gurus swoop in, selling you their next fat loss workout plan, fat-burning supplement, or some “special” diet that promises to do what the last one didn’t.
If you’re tired of all the BS and want to learn how to eat and train for sustainable fat loss, drop me a message, and we can chat.
Andy.
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