While we all know someone who runs, and is very thin, does this mean that cardio exercise makes you skinny? Basically, our bodies intake fuel (food and calories) and expend fuel (energy and calories.
) We need to expend more calories than we take in to lose weight, so cardio can be a part of that process.
In the case of runners, especially those who run long distances, it is a shear numbers game.
They burn off so many calories by running miles that fat does not have a chance to find a home in their bodies.
For the rest of us, those who don't enjoy running, what can we do to burn more fuel? It does not take hours on the treadmill or swimming hundreds of laps.
A very simple and quick way to turn your body into a fat burning machine is to build muscle by the use of weights.
Weight training has traditionally been for those who really wanted to build definition and "get cut.
" It has grown to be used by anyone who wants to lose weight.
The more muscle your body has, the more fuel it burns, and the faster the weight will come off of you.
Side benefits are that you will feel better and more energetic, your posture will improve, and you will look better almost immediately.
As you build muscle, your clothes you will become looser, even if the scale does not budge at first.
Don't get discouraged at the numbers, but rather look in the mirror at the progress that you are making.