There are two schools of thought when it comes to the goal of "leaning out."
1. Go into a calorie deficit to lose scale weight and body fat. 2. Eat to add muscle and lose weight. There are a bajillion factors to consider in each approach, so understand that I am speaking generally as I explain each. Option 1: A calorie deficit means eating fewer calories than you currently average on a consistent basis in order to lose scale weight. This route can move the scale in a positive way, but not usually your body composition (which is your fat mass versus your lean mass). You see, we need calories in order to keep and/or build muscle. This approach is often accompanied by inordinent amounts of cardio. Cardio, my friends, does not create the lean physiques you're admiring on social media. Weights do. UPSIDES:
DOWNSIDES:
Option 2: This option requires more patience, but WILL last longer. It requires paying attention to your macronutrient intake to be sure that you're eating enough protein, carbs, and fats to gain muscle, and in turn lose body fat. Lifting weights; heavy weights, will amp up these results in a big way. UPSIDES:
DOWNSIDES:
You can see I'm mildly biased toward option 2. See folks, I've been there. I've depleted the crap out of my hormones, my energy, my everything by taking option 1 and also trying to work my tail off in the gym. It worked quickly, but at a higher cost to my overall health than what it was worth. Two years later, I finally normalized the functioning of my hormones, got a fantastic certification through Precision Nutrition (followed by a Master Coach cert through them as well), and made sure I understood what I did to myself so that I could teach others how to approach weight loss and health in a way that benefits them across the board, not just in the mirror and on the scale. I hope this has been helpful! Stay tuned for more good good on nutrition and fitness.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
SarahHelping people reach optimal health by educating them in all things nutrition and fitness. Archives
July 2023
Categories |