If you’ve been to the gym in the past few months, chances are you’ve encountered a plethora of fitness enthusiasts debating about whether cardio is necessary for weight loss.
There are people on both sides of the argument - some say it's essential, while others believe you don't need it.
But what kind of exercise can give you the best results?
To help answer this question and more, today we’re diving into the world of weight loss and its relation to exercise.
Why Lose Weight In The First Place?
Carrying excess weight can be detrimental to our body’s health and well-being.
Research shows that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and a range of cancers.
With this in mind, it's important to take a proactive approach by losing the extra weight and gaining control of one’s physical health.
Making healthy and mindful decisions regarding diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits will empower individuals with the tools they need to make lasting changes.
And when most people think of weight loss, their mind conjures images of countless hours on the treadmill.
Is that needed, though?
Cardio isn't a requirement in order to shed those extra pounds.
All you need is to create a caloric deficit in order to lose weight.
Eating in a deficit of calories means that you will be consuming less total energy (calories) from food than your body needs to maintain its weight.
This allows the body to burn more fat than it stores, thereby decreasing the total body fat.
Nevertheless, more isn't always better - a moderate caloric deficit of 500 calories/day will help keep your metabolism healthy and quick.
Though cardio isn't necessary, it can help create that deficit by burning more calories.
So go ahead, jump on the treadmill, or hit the pavement, but remember it's not a must-do - just an added bonus.
Losing weight isn't always easy - believe me, I know that too well.
Sure, cutting back on calories is a great way to slim down, but you'll want to make sure you don't lose too much muscle along with that fat!
That's why strength training and lifting weights should be part of your weight loss journey - it helps build lean muscle, or at least retain it, so your body looks more toned, even as you're losing pounds.
Don't worry though, you don't have to start bench pressing like a pro - something as simple as doing a couple of compound movements a few times a week can go a long way!
It's like having a secret weapon on your side in the fight against the flab!
Losing weight may often feel like an insurmountable task, but if you have enough protein in your diet, you’re well on your way!
This is why we have a list of the top 5 protein-rich diet foods that we recommend to every person who endeavors on a weight loss journey.
Here they are:
1. Beef
2. Fish
3. Eggs
4. Dairy
5. Beans & legumes
The funny thing is, it’s not the protein itself that helps with muscle growth, it’s the 9 essential amino acids that are found inside (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine).
The next time you feel guilty for skipping a cardio session, remember that science has your back - because science says all you need is a caloric deficit.
And make sure you’re getting all 9 essential amino acids to help with lean muscle growth (hint - that's Oh!mino)
Stay fit my friend,
Michael
Founder & CEO