Use Weight To Loose Weight

When you think of losing weight, most people initially think of the food they are eating. They concentrate on portion sizing, caloric intake, the types of food they consume, and what to eliminate. And although all of that certainly does play a part in weight loss, or at least permanent weight loss, it isn't the only thing that will sustain lost pounds. People who feel fat become their own weight watcher. Other ailments, such as depression, often creep in.

Exercise is one of the things that people experiment with when they are fighting for weight loss. It can actually be discouraging in the short run, because people tend to gain weight, regardless if they change their eating habits. But I'll let you in on a badly-kept secret, building muscle is the key to permanent weight loss. When you gain one pound in muscle, it will help you burn 50 extra calories a day. This everyday use of calories, those burned just by being alive, is called the BMR, or Basal Metabolic Rate.

How do you get a healthier you, live a healthier life? How does a fat person lose fat? For that matter, how do you just start to feel good about yourself? All these questions can be answered with one word: muscle.

To obtain the maximum fat loss, and consequently the maximum weight loss, you need to build extra muscle. This is not something that requires a gym membership or expensive free-weights to do, either. You can start by using common household items, such as cans of vegetables from your cupboard, and work your way up to gallon jugs filled with sand or water.

Let's face it, the bottom line of losing weight is to create or maintain a healthier, fitter you. Once you start building muscle, this increases your endurance and flexibility, protects your joints (which in turn reduces your risk of injury), increases bone mass (decreasing your chances of fractures and degeneration from osteoporosis), and increases your energy level as well as your metabolism.

After you have started a strength training routine, you will start seeing results. However, one word of caution: guaranteed results don't mean that you shouldn't worry about poor food choices. It will require some adherence to a healthy eating plan. The strength training routine for the absolute beginner should consist of some weight lifting and walking. It won't take much to begin to feel the results. Start with 2-5 pound weights and walk 1 mile a day 3-5 days per week. You will begin to feel fitter, be able to focus more clearly, and start to have a more positive outlook on exercise, fitness and health. For those who aren't necessarily at the beginner stage, but aren't exactly experts either, begin with 3-8 pound weights and speed walk 1-2 miles a day 4-6 days per week.

The end result will always be the same: if you use weights, you will lose weight. Good luck!