A Scientific Approach To Burning Fat
There are literally thousands of fad diets, programs and pills out there, all claiming to be the best way to burn fat. But as you may have experienced firsthand, what works well for one person, might not always be the best approach for another.
This isn’t that surprising really, considering we all have different body types, as well as different lifestyles that need to be taken into consideration.
From a scientific standpoint, however, there are 5 key points that really do apply to everyone.
These include:
Balancing your macronutrients - Make sure you are getting a balanced diet, that includes a little of all 3 macronutrients; protein, carbohydrates and good fats, from healthy and fresh sources. This will ensure that you are not only getting all the required nutrients each day, it will also ensure you have the energy needed to exercise and get through your day.
Reduce/eliminate processed sugars - Refined sugar adds a whole lot of calories for basically no nutritional benefit. If your calorie intake is higher than your expenditure you are going to end up storing the added energy for potential later use (as fat!).
Eat smaller amounts more often - Eating smaller meals/snacks, 3-5 times a day instead of 3 large meals, helps regulate blood sugar levels, keeps your metabolism active, staves off hunger and prevents you from overeating. Remember, you are only going to burn fat if your calorie expenditure outweighs your calorie intake!
Incorporate endurance and resistance training into your routine - Though endurance training often burns more calories whilst you are actively exercising, resistance training works to increase muscle mass which helps amp up your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate). This means that you are burning more calories whilst doing normal everyday activities such as getting up off your couch, or walking to the fridge!
If you're looking for a new variety of workouts to add to your routine check out this article on isometric, concentric and eccentric exercises.
Stay hydrated - Staying hydrated is essential in supporting the process of fat metabolism. It also ensures you avoid symptoms of dehydration, such as lethargy, which will prevent you from being active and energised. Another plus to drinking plenty of water is to help reduce cravings.
The bottom line
The key to achieving and maintaining weight loss is really quite simple. Eat a healthy and balanced diet, rich in fresh foods. Avoid overeating or eating too many refined sugars and exercise regularly, including both resistance and endurance style training.
If you can couple all this with a little dedication and perseverance, then you will be well on track to achieving your weight loss goals.
