Losing weight for good
The best way to lose weight permanently is through a combination of fitness training and a healthy diet. Strength and endurance training, combined with a healthy diet, are essential for achieving long-term success.
More and more people are going to the gym to work on their fitness, particularly to lose weight and improve their figure. Many who do not train at the gym rely solely on endurance training or diets to reach their ideal weight. However, it has long been proven that the best results are achieved through a combination of a healthy diet, endurance training and strength training. Endurance exercise promotes fat burning, but just as important is the daily basal metabolic rate – the amount of energy our body needs. Energy is mainly burnt in the muscles. Greater muscle mass not only tones the body but also increases the basal metabolic rate. Combined with a healthy diet, the yo-yo effect doesn’t stand a chance, as muscles are more metabolically active and burn more calories even at rest. Ask your trainers for advice on nutrition and training programmes – they’re trained to help!
Strong muscles don’t have to be big. Having large muscles isn’t crucial for a higher basal metabolic rate. What’s important is that the muscles are trained well and regularly, all over the body. Through your training, you can decide for yourself whether you want your muscles to increase significantly in size or simply to tone the tissue without becoming noticeably large. Women, in particular, find it easier to build large amounts of muscle mass due to their lower testosterone levels.
Combining endurance and strength training offers further benefits:
- Explosive strength and agility are improved.
- Stronger muscles support the skeletal structure and help prevent postural problems.
- Higher bone density reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
- Joints are stabilised and the strain on them is relieved by strong muscles.
Tips for losing weight: Discuss your plans with your trainer at the gym, as a personalised plan is always best. As a general rule, you should train at least twice a week, combining strength and endurance training. Give your muscles a day to recover after each session. The demands placed on your muscles should match your current fitness level. Check regularly to make sure the exercises haven’t become too easy, as muscles quickly adapt to new challenges!