There are ways to teach your body how to use fat as energy source, however, focus of any training should not be on fat loss. If there were such things as “fat loss workout” and if it does work as advertised, then this country or the world is more fit and healthy.
Looking at any physiology or kinesiology, purpose of training is to focus on two things: 1.) building muscles in terms of strength and size and 2.) improving cardiovascular system. Lowering of body fat, blood sugar, cholesterol, and improving cognitive functioning is all byproduct of training.
Fat loss training became popular because of fitness marketing strategy and not because of successfully reducing body fat. Because of this trend, people assume there are methods to exercise or train specifically for fat loss.
When looking at common programming of “fat loss training” is based on high reps, less resting between exercises and sets, and training for 5-6 days per week with least calorie consumption. Sounds almost like pseudo bodybuilding doesn’t it. Here is a problem. When calorie deficit happens drastically, your primary stress hormone, cortisol, increases and lowers your sleep quality, muscle recovery, testosterone, immunity, metabolism and only thing that goes up is your cravings and fat.
Instead of focusing your training on fat loss, focus on strength building and improving cardiovascular system. When you are focusing on these two, several things must happen.
You will be eating more with clean food because you want the body to recover fast.
You will learn to sleep properly for better recovery and muscle growth.
You will not be training more than 4 times per week, unless supervised by trainer.
Here is what will happen. Because your muscle gets stronger and cardiovascular system is improving by properly balancing the training and recovery, you will have more energy, strength, immune system will be high, blood chemistry will be optimal, and body fat will be lowered.
Focus on training the foundation not the byproducts!
Kota Shimada
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