Cardio vs. Weights: Which One Should You Adopt for Weight Loss?

Weight loss may seem like a vain goal for some. But for many people, losing weight can actually save their lives.

In fact, weight loss is very important for a huge chunk of the population given that the Health Survey for England revealed that 28% of Brits are obese. Unfortunately, professor Indranil Dasgupta of the University Hospital Birmingham states that healthy obesity does not exist and that this chronic condition increases your risk of developing serious issues like kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, and even strokes.

To avoid these health risks and shed some kilograms, one of the first things that you’ll need to do is start a workout program. Many types of exercise exist, but people frequently recommend cardio or weight training for weight loss. So if you want to achieve your target weight, here’s what you need to know about the most effective exercise for weight loss:



Is It Better to Do Cardio Or Should You Lift Weights Instead?


Here’s the truth: both cardio and weight training can effectively burn body fat. What’s tricky, though, is that these two exercises reduce body fat differently and produce different perceived results.

To clarify, strength and conditioning experts from Liverpool John Moores University explained that cardio exercises like running and cycling can lead to greater perceived weight loss because they reduce your body fat and your muscle size. However, weight or resistance training seems to be more effective for long-term weight loss because it can increase the number of calories that you burn at rest. In other words, while cardio burns fat during your exercise program, weight training develops your muscles’ ability to break down fat during and after your workout.

Personal trainers Scott Woods and Alex Bailey also highly recommend strength training for weight loss because engaged muscles can burn more calories. By building up the muscles in your body, you can increase your basal metabolic rate and encourage your body to burn more calories throughout the day. As an added bonus, you can get a more sculpted physique once you shed the extra weight.



A Closer Look at The Habits That Lead to Weight Loss


Of course, your exercise program is just one of the many activities that can help you lose weight. While it can definitely help you shed tons of kilograms, you’ll also need to keep an eye on the other habits that can affect weight.

For starters, you’ve got to mind your diet. For sustainable weight loss, this means that you’ll also have to keep your nutritional and caloric intake in check. To better regulate your calories, WeightWatchers notes that your weight loss plan should be designed based on your target weight, your health goals, and even your favourite foods. An IQVIA survey of 14,000 doctors revealed that medical professionals recommend this approach because it simplifies the steps towards your health goals and incorporates your favourite foods as rewards for the healthy choices that you’ve made. So instead of restricting yourself with fad or yo-yo diets, choose the meal plan that can help you manage your calorie intake healthily and sustainably.

Aside from diet, you should also pay attention to an important puzzle piece in your weight loss journey: your mental health. You may think that your mental and physical health are two separate things. However, our article on the ‘Benefits of Exercise for Physical and Mental Health’ emphasizes that your mental and physical well-being actually affect each other. After all, poor mental health can tempt you to eat unhealthy snacks and skip regular workouts. Alternatively, when your mental health is good, you’re more likely to make rational decisions and feel more motivated.

There are a lot of components that can affect your weight loss journey. By striking the right balance with all these elements, you can lose those excess kilograms and even manage to keep them off for a happier and healthier life.
 
 
 
Article contributed by Riley Jessen
 
Exclusively for  IAN GLASS FITNESS 
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