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#1 Reason You Need to Strength Train for Weight Loss

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#1 Reason You Need to Strength Train for Weight Loss
#1 Reason You Need to Strength Train for Weight Loss

If you are trying to lose weight (and keep it off), you know that exercise is key.  Most people consider cardio workouts to be crucial for weight loss.  And they are.  But, strength training is also important for weight loss.  Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients should consider adding strength training to their workout routine to help them lose weight.

Strength training involves strengthening and toning your muscles by making them work against a resisting force.  Images of giant metal weight machines might creep into your head, but strength training can be as simple as using your body weight, medicine balls, resistance bands, or dumbbells.  

Strength training is highly beneficial to the body.  It tones and defines muscles.  It can help improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.  Strength training can help improve your balance and coordination, which can help prevent falls as you get older.  It can even be as effective as medication for reducing arthritis pain.  Working out your muscles can also boost your mood and give you an energy boost.

But, how does strengthening and toning your muscles contribute to weight loss?  

When you strength train your muscles, you build more lean muscle.  Your muscles grow and get toned.  Yes, this may make the needle on the scale move up, but lean muscle also helps you burn calories.  For every 3 pounds of muscle you gain, you can expect to burn 120 more calories a day without doing anything extra.  The simple fact of having more lean muscle means you burn more calories, even when the muscle is at rest.

If gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients have started an exercise regime after surgery, but haven’t incorporated strength training, starting slow is the best.  Give your muscles time to recover before working them out again.  Strength training can easily be done at home (think push ups, squats, planks, and lunges) using apps or videos.  But, consider consulting a trainer to make sure you are using proper body mechanics to prevent an injury.  

If you are trying to lose weight and haven’t been successful despite diet and exercise, bariatric surgery may be an option.  Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA has performed over 4,000 bariatric procedures, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery.  His weight loss surgery patients come from all over Florida, including Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando, and Jacksonville, to have their weight loss surgery performed by the Director of Bariatric Surgery at a hospital with a designated Bariatric Center of Excellence.  To find out if you are a candidate for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or gastric band surgery, call Dr. Shillingford at (561) 483-8840 today.