Fat Loss Vs. Calorie Burning

Hi Awesome client with a really important question: The strength training sessions do not seem to be burning as many calories as I’d like. Should I do extra cardio?

Answer: If I may encourage you to look at the long term picture vs. the short term for a moment, I can help you with this question. Muscle burns fat not only during a workout but also after a workout for a far longer period than straight cardio. Cardio burns calories in the moment. When comparing the overall fat burn of strength training versus calorie burn of steady state cardio (e g. Elliptical for an hour), strength training wins every time. Long term fat loss is what will make the difference in your health, happiness and even shape. Short term calorie burn is just that, short term.

Now, please don’t hear me saying that steady state cardio is bad. It’s actually absolutely wonderful to move your body and should occur nearly every single day. It should be mindfully built in to your workout program along with strength training. Steady state cardio does not tax your body’s cortisol hormone levels like a strength training session will do. This is why you don’t want to strength train the same muscles every single day without giving them a rest. Strength training is meant to tear the muscle so that it grows back even stronger.  When you are taxing those same muscles without proper rest, this will not only dampen your strength progression achievements, it will also lead to an injury. 

Doing steady state cardio is a way to still burn some calories on those off days and a way to get the heart rate up with good blood flow. Steady state cardio allows for daily movement which all of our bodies need every day. Movement of the body is also pivotal in keeping insulin and blood sugar levels more stable. This is important because insulin directly impacts your metabolism which directly impacts your waistline.

The take home message is this: You are doing enough and you ARE enough! You are amazing!❤️🙏🏻🌸☀️