Losing Weight Or Gaining Muscle?

Many individuals trying to lose weight have discussed this question: Does muscle weigh more than fat

? Well, does a pound of cotton weigh more than a pound of pennies? No, it does not. A pound is a pound is a pound. Muscle and fat weigh the same amount in pounds, but muscle does not take up as much space as fat.

So, what do you do with the dilemma of not losing weight when you exercise? How do you know if it is because you are gaining muscle or if it is because you are not eating or exercising correctly? You can start by first asking yourself some questions.

First, look at your clothing. How is it fitting? Do those cute jeans you wore before your baby arrived finally fit you again? If you looked at the scale and it stayed the same, but those jeans fit, then most likely you gained lean muscle.

Another item to look at is how you are eating. Are you eating less sugary or carbohydrate food then protein? If so, then you are probably doing well with muscle building. The right kinds of carbohydrates are vital when trying to lose weight and important for energy while exercising. It is important to have the right balance of carbohydrates and protein. Eat the carbohydrates before you work out for needed energy, and eat the protein after to help build muscle.

The last thing to look at is your exercise. If you are doing weight lifting or strength training then most likely you are gaining muscle. If you are not losing weight and you are doing only cardio exercise, then you may need to burn more calories. Several workouts will facilitate calorie burn and help you lose weight and keep it off. Plyometrics is a type of training that uses a lot of jumping, and it is very high impact. Interval training goes from high to low intensity exercise in short bursts. This also facilitates calorie burn.

A great way to lower your body fat percentage, however, is to do both cardio and strength training. You will certainly notice a difference in how you feel and how you look by doing both types of workouts.

As you are working out, do not focus on the scale, focus on what you are doing and how your clothes are fitting. What really matters in a healthy lifestyle is how you feel, and how you look, not what you weigh. Work hard, and look in the mirror and at your clothes for results.

by: Weightlossplans

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