ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
19.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


How Building Muscle Helps You Lose Fat

Author: Shawn Lebrun Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 29-12-2005 | Comments: 0 | Views: 1,737 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.

Want to lose some of that unwanted body fat? If so, you may want to start hitting the weights.

That's because the more lean muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn at rest, as well as when you're active. The more muscle tissue you possess, the more energy your body will require to maintain that muscle.

It gets that needed energy from burning and utilizing calories. And again, the more calories you burn, the more likely fat loss to occur.

Muscle is a very metabolically active tissue. It takes a lot of work for your body to maintain it. Fat, on the other hand, takes no work to maintain. It just sits there, lumped together like, well, fat.

This is an important concept in fat loss because the more lean muscle tissue you can build, the more calories that will be burned off, without you having to do any extra work. Your muscle will burn off more calories 24/7 than if you didn't have that extra lean muscle.

This makes the case for why weight training, also known as resistance training, is so important to include in any weight loss program.

So if you can add a couple pounds of lean muscle to your frame, you're going to burn off more calories, even while sleeping, than if you didn't have that extra muscle.

The more calories you burn off at rest, the more likely that the calories burned off during exercise will create a calorie deficit in your body. A calorie deficit is a must for weight loss to occur.

Weight gain occurs from consuming more calories than your body burns off during the day. Since there is no deficit of calories, your body does not have to dip into stored body fat to get energy. In fact, due to the surplus, it stores the extra calories as body fat.

If you create a calorie deficit, meaning, your body has used all of the energy from calories it has received from food and it still needs more (like to support muscle tissue) it is going to go after your fat stores to get that energy.

Fat is a highly condensed form of energy. So, when your body starts taking fat from fat stores to use as energy, that is how weight loss occurs.

Weight training may benefit any weight loss program, possibly more than any other component.

Weight training can be a future investment for permanent weight loss and weight maintenance because as you continue to lose stored body fat and gain lean muscle, your muscle will continue to aid in the calorie burning process.

As there becomes less stored body fat to use as energy, the muscle tissue will start to directly utilize the calories you consume on a daily basis.

Since there is now more muscle tissue than there is fat to utilize calories, chances of storing any excess calories as body fat is greatly reduced.

Resistance training may offer the most benefit of all to women past the age of menopause. It can help prevent or reverse the effects of osteoporosis by strengthening and maintaining bone density often lost by diet alone. So how much resistance training is necessary for long-term weight loss to be successful and to increase your lean muscle and strength?

Not as much as you would probably think. In fact, any more weight/resistance training than 2 to 3 hours a week may be counterproductive.

The best results I have witnessed while in the personal training field come from 3 sessions a week with weights, less than an hour each session.

Most people like the Monday, Wednesday, Friday approach to weight training. This leaves Tuesday and Thursday for cardio, which should be done separately from weight training.

The key to proper weight training is to establish a good foundation in which to build upon, much like building a solid foundation for a house.

So hire a trainer or check out a good program online. You can find my proven muscle building and fat loss program below.

Bottom line, if you want to lose stubborn body fat, start building muscle and you'll soon see the pounds disappear.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/how-building-muscle-helps-you-lose-fat-10142.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Shawn Lebrun is a fitness author and personal trainer. Make this the year you build more muscle, lose more fat, and get the lean, muscular body you desire. Check out Shawn's proven program to help: Muscle building and fat loss program
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

The Secret To Effective Cardio
By: Shawn Lebrun | 16/12/2005 | Fitness
If you want to lose fat and gain more endurance, you have to focus on doing cardio. This article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun shows you the secret to setting up your cardio routine so that you can burn more fat, gain more energy, and increase your end

The Gift of Fitness
By: Shawn Lebrun | 16/12/2005 | Fitness
Fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun explains how we've all been given a gift to use each day. And it's up to you to use this gift to the best of your ability each day.

Losing Body Fat By Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 05/01/2006 | Fitness
If you want to lose body fat, you may want to start building muscle through weight training. This article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun shows you that weight training is one of the most effective ways to raise your metabolism and burn calories.

Are You A Winner Or Loser At Fitness?
By: Shawn Lebrun | 09/12/2005 | Fitness
This article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun reveals the difference between those that succeed with their fitness goals and those that fail.

How To Get Your Best Body Ever In 2006
By: Shawn Lebrun | 16/12/2005 | Fitness
If you want to build muscle, lose fat, and get the body you've always wanted this year, this article by personal trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun will show you the steps you need to take. Follow the tips in this article and you'll be able to

Want To Get In Shape? Well, Here's What I Think Of You
By: Shawn Lebrun | 09/12/2005 | Fitness
If you want to lose fat, gain muscle, and get in shape, fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun shows you what it really takes. If you have any doubts as to whether or not you can change your habits to support your weight loss attempts, this article will show you wh

How Your Thinking Determines Your Fitness Levels
By: Shawn Lebrun | 16/12/2005 | Fitness
Did you know that your daily thinking will determine how much weight you lose, muscle you gain, and any other fitness goal you have? This article by personal trainer and fitness author Shawn Lebrun reveals why it's important to give yourself a "check up

8 Simple Ways To Lose Fat
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article shows you 8 simple, proven ways you can lose more body fat in less time.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lethal dose of hydrocodone?
By: bryanb | 29-06-2008
What is a lethal dose of hydrocodone?

Heavy sleepers snoring
By: Vanessa | 29-06-2008
what can be done about snoring?

Is viagra my answer
By: nbigdaddy69 | 29-06-2008
how do I know if I need viagra

My Eighty year old mother has a BAD case of ...
By: gil | 28-06-2008
My Eighty year old mother has a BAD case of Shingles, the outbreak is located on her head. She has had them for eight weeks now, is there any time table that she can HOPE them to subside. Her pain is so GREAT!! She has been on Gabapentin, and for the virus she has been on Acyclovir, she still has a great deal of pain. Can any one help. Thanks

Just had baby 6weeks ago. Starting to notice my ...
By: dumbo | 28-06-2008
Just had baby 6weeks ago. Starting to notice my belly fat is starting to sag. I started working out this week. What or how do prevent it from getting worse. basically i want to get rid of it w/out having it sag more.Thank u.

Is there a good Chance that I could get pregnant ...
By: kdb | 28-06-2008
Is there a good Chance that I could get pregnant on and the day after Ovulation? And what about 4-5 days after?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Fitness Articles

Healthy Regular Exercise
By: prabakar | 19/07/2008
Healthy eating and regular exercise lead to an improved quality of life for adults and kids. The program is in a or individual setting. Lie down on your back on a mat placed on the floor. Place your hands behind your head to support your neck. Roll your shoulders blades up off the floor as far as you can.

Great Attractions of Exercises
By: prabakar | 18/07/2008
One of the great attractions of exercises is that they require little equipment and so are much easier to work out than other areas of the body, such as the legs, back, or chest. Pilates is a low intensity workout that involved light aerobic exercise and stretching, and has become a favorite exercise of women.

I Don't Want Thunder Thighs, or a Big Butt...
By: Troy Anderson | 18/07/2008
Insider Secrets to Getting Lean and Sexy Legs and Butt

I Promise it Won't Make You Fat
By: Troy Anderson | 17/07/2008
Women's Fitness Article Uncovering the Fitness Myth of Protein

Addiction: a Holistic Approach to Recovery
By: Patti Desert | 17/07/2008
Holistic Therapy uniquely teaches clients how to safely experience depression, anxiety, and other painful states while learning ways to manage the negative thoughts and destructive behavior that sabotage recovery from addiction.

How to Get Rid Off Those Facial Parentheses (nasolabial Folds)
By: Dr Barry Eppley | 17/07/2008
One of the most common signs of facial aging is the development of the nasolabial folds. Many people find these deepening facial lines disconcerting and frequently seek treatment. Nasolabial fold prominence can be minimized by injectable fillers, implants, or even actual surgical excision. By far, injectable fillers are most commonly used and the particulated fillers seem to be the best choice for this facial area.

Decrease Chance of Dark Spots
By: John Nolan | 17/07/2008
Dark skin, Blemish, dark spots are the top of women's skin problem because if they begin appear on you face, they will make feel nervous. There're many cause of dark spots such as genetic, cosmetic, women's hormone who be in Pregnancy or nearly go to the elderly and the another one main cause is sunlight.

Simple Steps to Detox Your Body
By: John Khu | 16/07/2008
Real detoxification can take time, and as long as you are moving towards your goal, you have nothing to worry about. You don't have to plunge right in and live a whole new life; slow gradual change is the best way to really make progress.

More from Shawn Lebrun

How To Get In The Best Shape of Your Life
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
Learn what you have to do, each and every day, in order to get the body you've always wanted.

8 Simple Ways To Lose Fat
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article shows you 8 simple, proven ways you can lose more body fat in less time.

To Build Muscle, Get A Tan!
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article by Shawn Lebrun shows you how overtraining with your lifting routine is similar to getting a sunburn when trying to tan.

How Overtraining Kills Your Chances Of Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're not gaining the muscle mass you want from your workouts, chances are, you could be overtraining. This article from personal trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you what overtraining is and how it leads to problems in and out of th

The Only Way To Gain Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun reveals the only way possible to gain muscle. Start using the principle that's in this article and you'll begin to build muscle a lot faster.

More Rest Means More Gains
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Health
If you're feeling tired and sluggish, that can negatively impact your muscle and strength gains. This article by fitness author and bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you why resting is important in making muscle gains.

How To Start A Muscle Building Program
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're just beginning to work out, this article by fitness author and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun will show you how to start your workout program. Skip the learning curve and cut out all the trial and error that most beginners go through.

5 Tools To Help You Gain More Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 13/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you 5 effective tools you can use in your workouts.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below