Strength training is a vital component of weight loss and overall health.
When the body loses weight, it will metabolize fat cells and muscle cells for energty. To minimize muscle loss while losing weight, it is vitally important to work the muscles! Strength training such as weight lifting, yoga, body weight exercises, and resistance bands will stress your muscles and increase muscle density.
Benefits of strength training include:
- Increased Muscle Mass: Strength training involves working against resistance, which helps build and maintain muscle mass. More muscle mass means a higher resting metabolic rate, which allows your body to burn more calories even at rest. This can aid in weight loss by boosting your metabolism.
- Fat Burning: Strength training can lead to increased fat burning during and after the workout. It stimulates the release of hormones like growth hormone and testosterone, which aid in fat metabolism. Additionally, building muscle helps burn calories during exercise, promoting weight loss.
- Health Benefits: Regular strength training can enhance insulin sensitivity, which is beneficial for blood sugar regulation and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Using weights against resistance also increases bone density which decreases osteoporosis risk as we age.
How to start strength training?
If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, I recommend visiting a few gyms near your home and work and find a good fit for you. A personal trainer to get you started is an excellent investment to make your time in the gym efficient and prevent injury. Gyms can be intimidating to walk into but in my experience they have a very positive environment. They exist to support your health goals and want you to succeed. You are putting in the effort to lose weight with medical weight loss, keep it up with strengthening your body while the pounds come off. Also if you can find a friend or bring your partner, this will make it more fun and keep you accountable. Going twice a week consistently will make you a new person in a few months!
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. Weight loss results vary by individual and can not be guaranteed. GLP-1 medication may only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed health care provider. If your prescriber determines GLP-1 medication is right for you, obtaining a prescription is hassle-free through Flow Wellness.
