There is a lot of debate as to whether exercise can help you lose fat or not. Some people believe in working hard at the gym to burn more calories than they consume. Others, on the other hand, believe that “abs are made in the kitchen” and insist on reducing their calorie intake to lose fat.

Does exercise really help you lose fat? Or, should you just cancel your gym membership and skip meals? Let’s find out.

Diet vs Exercise

While it is true that eating less is the most effective way to lose fat, this should not be your excuse to miss your next workout session. When you lower your calorie intake and skip exercising, you lose muscle along with the fat. Eating fewer calories forces your body to utilize other sources of fuel. Your body burns your fat stores, but unfortunately, it goes after your muscle protein as well.

Exercise helps you burn fat and its benefits go beyond that. It has many health benefits that include decreasing your predisposition to diseases, helping you form more healthy habits, and improving your mental health.  If you are looking to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle, fat burning exercises will play a crucial role in helping you achieve your goals.

Cardio works!

Cardio, also known as aerobic exercise is one of the most effective ways to burn calories and reduce body fat. When you exercise, your levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to ab fat, are decreased. Studies show that cardio significantly reduces belly fat.

There are a lot of cardio exercises that you can try, including running, swimming and dancing. These activities are not only great if you are trying to lose weight, they also give you a lot of other benefits such as a decreased risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Resistance training can help you burn calories around the clock

There are many exercises that can help you burn calories. But, if you want to go the extra mile, try resistance training. Resistance training exercises, such as weightlifting, strengthens, tones, and increases the amount of muscle you have. When you have higher amounts of muscle, your metabolism increases. As a result, your body burns more calories even at rest. Resistance training also helps those who have lost weight avoid a drop in their metabolism.

If you want to burn fat and keep the weight off, you should look into adding resistance training into your exercise routine.

The long-term effects of exercise

Once you have managed to burn fat, the next hurdle is keeping the weight off. Studies show that 85% of people who rely on diet alone have a harder time keeping the weight off. Interestingly, other studies show that people who exercise regularly are able to keep the weight that they lost off for years.

The bottom line

When it comes to your health and fitness, there is no magic bullet. Sticking to a healthy diet paired with regular exercise can help you burn fat and achieve your ideal weight. Provide your body with the fuel it needs and find exercise routines that are enjoyable for you. Both of these things will help you find balance and consistency on your health journey.