3 Reasons Lifting Leads to Weight Loss

Weight loss is a relatively straightforward process. Reduce your food intake, bump your activity level, and watch as you slim down.

Of course, anyone who’s ever tried losing weight can tell you that achieving the objective is much more complex than it seems.

But why is weight loss such a challenging goal to achieve, despite the apparent simplicity?

An Overlooked Side of Weight Loss

We live in a time of instant gratification, and people are growing increasingly impatient. We want overnight delivery, traffic-free travel, quick and delicious meals, and many other pleasant things that don’t take any work or patience.

The same thing goes for fitness. People crave positive outcomes in the form of muscle gain, fat loss, and general athleticism, but they quickly lose their enthusiasm when it takes longer than anticipated.

In many cases, folks get disappointed because they approach the process with the wrong expectations, typically brought about by false promises from gurus and ‘experts.’  

The truth is that weight loss isn’t complicated, but it takes a long time, which often causes people to give up. But can we do anything about it? 

The Importance of the Right Approach

From a physiological standpoint, weight loss comes down to creating and sustaining a calorie deficit. Doing so forces your body to get the remaining  energy by breaking down fat and lean tissue.

Creating a calorie deficit isn’t that challenging, and you can achieve it by modifying your eating approach. For example, controlling your portions and eating healthier foods will create an energy deficit, leading to weight loss.

Here’s the issue, though:

Only relying on a diet to lose weight brings several drawbacks. Most notably, the process takes much longer, and you’re less likely to achieve the lean and athletic physique you want.

3 Reasons Why a Workout Regimen Leads to Better Weight Loss

1. It’s Easier to Create a Calorie Deficit

Any form of physical activity burns calories. A good workout regimen can help you burn hundreds or even thousands of extra calories each week, making it  easier to create the necessary deficit for fat loss.

2. You Can Hold Onto More Muscle

An underrated benefit of exercising while dieting is that it allows you to hold onto more muscle mass and lose primarily fat. As a result, you can reach your body composition goals more quickly. 

The best form of exercise for maintaining muscle is resistance training: gym workouts, bodyweight exercises, etc.

3. It Can Positively Impact Your Appetite

Another benefit of exercise is that it can positively affect your body’s hunger and satiety signals. Thanks to these effects, you might not feel as hungry and stick  with your diet more easily.

How Much Exercise is Necessary for Optimal Weight Loss?

The great thing about exercising for weight loss is that you don’t have to live at the gym or your local track to reap the benefits.

As few as three sessions of 30 to 45 minutes can be enough for you to burn extra calories, maintain muscle, and reach your weight loss goals more quickly.