| Don't you just love counting calories? I | | | | space it occupies, and it looks better. For |
| know, I hate it too, but it is an important | | | | example, if you take 5 pounds of fat and 5 |
| part of any lifestyle devoted to staying fit. | | | | pounds of muscle and place them side by side, |
| Dieting is only part of the equation when | | | | you will notice that the fat, as compared to |
| trying to lose weight. You must also adhere | | | | the muscle, takes up a great deal of space. |
| to some sort of exercise program, which | | | | Imagine this on your body. That extra 5 |
| includes both weight training and cardio | | | | pounds of fat could easily add 1-2 inches, if |
| workouts. Why must I do both? Well, you CAN | | | | not more, to your waistline. |
| get away with doing only one or the other, | | | | |
| but if you REALLY want to lose weight, and | | | | Now, I brought all this up to help explain a |
| lose it quickly, you need to include both in | | | | point. It takes your body more energy to |
| your weight loss regimen. | | | | maintain your muscle mass, than it does fat |
| | | | mass. Why is this important? When your body |
| Remember when you were in the fifth grade and | | | | expends energy, we call that CALORIES. This |
| you started doing word problems in math? Do | | | | means that the more muscle mass you have, the |
| you recall the problem: which weighed more, a | | | | more calories you will burn. |
| pound of feathers or a pound of iron? The | | | | |
| answer is that they both weigh the same. Yes, | | | | As you begin your weight training routine, |
| it's a trick question , but one that I bring | | | | you will begin to lose fat but you will also |
| up for a reason. There is another trick | | | | begin to build muscle. As you weigh yourself, |
| question on the fitness horizon which deals | | | | you will start to notice that some days you |
| with muscle and fat. Which weighs more, a | | | | have actually gained weight. Don't be |
| pound of muscle or a pound of fat? Well, the | | | | alarmed, this is only natural. Yes, you will |
| answer is the same as in the feather and iron | | | | be losing fat, but you will also be gaining |
| question, they both weigh the same. This | | | | muscle mass. This extra muscle mass will not |
| question should address density, not weight. | | | | only look good on you, but it will also help |
| | | | to burn even more calories to help you get |
| A pound of muscle is much more dense then a | | | | rid of the fat. My advice, start with the two |
| pound of fat. This means that it takes up | | | | largest muscle masses: the legs (quadriceps) |
| less space, is much more concentrated in the | | | | and the upper back (trapezius). |