I want to lose weight before I start exercising.

Do you know this person?

Are you this person?

This was an excuse I got when I invited someone to train with me.

Let’s get this issue straight!

Unless there is a medical need (consult your physician) to wait to change your diet and lose weight first…

Then Exercise is critical to your weight loss, overall health, and fitness.

I could write many pages with subtopics on this subject, but today I will keep it short and basic.

First - Your body is a machine, let’s compare it to a car.
The car’s engine burns fuel. Your body burns calories.

Quality muscle is likened to the engine and is your main energy burner.

If you want to burn more calories your engine needs to be high quality, efficient, and tuned up regularly.

Now let’s compare engines.

Is your engine a 74 Pinto, or a highly tuned Ferrari?

(It’s a drastic comparison but it makes the point. Likely, you are in between.)

If you put the same amount of fuel into a 74 pinto as you do a Ferrari, which engine is going to burn the most fuel?

Of course the Ferrari.

Quick summary, the more quality muscle you have in your body (bigger engine), the more calories you will burn at rest and in motion.

How do I become more like the Ferrari to burn calories?
- Add resistance training at least three days a week. This is weights, resistance bands, boot camp, personal training, gym workouts.

- Add a couple days of cardio work. This is brisk walk, run, bike, and jump rope. Anything that gets your heart rate up.

Second – Calorie intake
If you are watching your calorie intake (keeping it low) and the quality of food you are eating, that’s great. This is also critical to weight/fat loss, fitness and overall health.

Being aware of your calorie consumption is a must - As I always say “you can out eat the best training program”.

However, if you continuously decrease your calorie intake to keep up with your weight/fat loss, you will reach a point where you can no longer decrease to sustain your energy levels and lifestyle.

This will cause a plateau in your weight loss. And likely casue you to lose quality muscle, not fat.

Side note: If possible, measure your body composition (fat% and lean mass %) before you start “dieting” to ensure you are losing fat, not muscle.

Many dieters and weight loss seekers unfortunately lose lean mass with their fat due to lack of exercise.

Summary: You must consume less calories than you burn. Exercise is a key along with quality food/calorie intake to ensure quality muscle is maintain or increased.

This will help ensure you are losing the unwanted fat and you will look and feel your fittest when you hit your goal.

Bottom line – Don’t wait to exercise. Start today. It takes both good meal planning and exercise to create the healthiest “you” possible.

Please call or email me with any questions on how to start an exercise program and or a sample meal program to help achieve your goals.

Dedicated to your health and wellness
Coach Greg
www.lefeverwellness.com