Fat Burning – Separating Myth From Fact

From Fat-Burning Belts To Fat-Burning Exercise – Help Or Hype?

It is fairly obvious from the non-stop advertisements for fat burning pills, fat burning waist belts, and the myriad of other "instant miracle" products promising a leaner, more muscular you, that fat burning is the newest health rage. But what’s fact and what’s hype?

Can muscle building and fat burning occur at the same time? You probably have seen ads for various fat burning waist belts and wondered if they really worked. It just seems so easy, doesn’t it? Strap on a belt, forget about fat burning exercise, and watch those firm, beautiful muscles magically appear. Unfortunately, when it comes to fat burning and basic good health, there is just no substitute for a good exercise program. Now, that does not mean joining a high-priced gym and working on a killer "six-pack". Surprisingly, intense body building does not appear burn any more body fat than low intensity exercise. Burning body fat and building muscle at the same time can actually be nicely achieved with some fairly low-impact exercise.

If the great outdoors is just not your thing, many exercise machines can provide an excellent fat burning workout. Stair climbers offer great resistance training, burning calories while toning up your leg and butt muscles. However, for lower impact and less stress on your knees and ankles, a good treadmill machine may be your best choice. You can set your own pace, burn those pesky calories and fat, and still get a great aerobic workout.

Get Hot With a Warm-Up Routine

So, how should you get started on a leaner, healthier you? Your fat burning workout should always start with some basic warm-up exercise routines. Be very cautious about aggressive stretching, though. Those wonderfully limber runners pulling their legs impossibly up against their backs are probably doing more harm than good. Why? Because muscles need to warm up before they are pliable enough to be safely stretched. Try something simple, like an arm circle or leg swing. You will find your muscles respond better and faster to any exercise, including fat burning, when you start with this type of dynamic stretching.

Your next step in burning fat is consistency. The old saying "no pain, no gain" should actually be "with pain, there is no gain". You really do your body more harm than good when your workout is so intense that you become a stiff, sore couch potato for days at a time. The key is to listen to your body. Don’t push through the pain, asking your body to do something akin to torture. As physicians, we see countless painful injuries that would have been avoided with a sensible, consistent exercise program. So do exercise and keep your body moving to burn body fat and lose weight, but also be aware of your body’s natural limitations.

Ladies, Tap Into Your Hidden Strength

When it comes to weight and resistance training, men definitely do not have a corner on the market. Women may have smaller body structures than men, but strength is not defined by gender. While most women do not want to look like muscle-bound bodybuilders, the female physique can realize a great deal of benefit in moderate weight and resistance training. Not only does this type of fat burning exercise help your body burn calories and fat, it also is fantastic for healthy bones. Osteoporosis is a very real threat to women, and weight and resistance training effectively fights this crippling disease, keeping you youthful and energetic with healthy, strong bones.

You Are What You Eat

As much as we would all like to believe the hype that says "eat what you want and still lose weight", the fact is that we all need a healthy diet. Fat and calorie burning exercise cannot be effective if your diet is filled with McDonald’s, Snickers and Cokes. Ask your doctor about a sensible low-calorie diet, and also check into some low-glycemic and low-fat foods. A number of these healthful foods are even high-flavor and completely satisfying! Remember, your body needs a certain amount of calories and fat to function at its best, so never, ever starve it. Instead, watch that unwanted fat melt away when you combine your fat burning exercise routine with a fat burning diet.

So are you ready for a brand new you? With a little bit of willpower and persistence, a beautiful new world of good health, increased energy, and of course, a fantastic, trim body, is within your grasp. Whether you are in your teens or enjoying retirement, you can discover a new zest for life and actually like what you see in the mirror. So get up, get active, and get ready to be amazed!