In Canada, about 36% of the population is classified as overweight. This is in addition to the 27% who are classified as obese. Combined, this means that around 63% of Canadian adults are either overweight or obese. These statistics highlight the prevalence of weight-related health issues in our country. People in this group are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and are at greater risk of all cause mortality. Strength training is a great way to help you lose weight, and it does more than just make you stronger. It’s like giving your body a boost in a few different ways that work together to help you burn fat and keep it off.
When you do strength training, like lifting weights or, you build muscle. Muscles are special because they burn more calories than fat, even when you’re just sitting around. So, the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns every day, even when you’re not exercising. This means that by getting stronger and building muscle, your body becomes better at burning calories all the time.
But that’s not the only way strength training helps with weight loss. When you work out, you burn calories. Strength training can burn a lot of calories, especially if you’re doing exercises that use big muscle groups, like squats or deadlifts. Plus, after a strength workout, your body needs to repair your muscles, and that takes energy, too. This means you keep burning calories even after you’ve finished your workout, which helps you lose weight over time.
Another important thing about strength training is that it helps you keep your muscle while you’re losing weight. When people try to lose weight by dieting alone, they often lose muscle along with fat. This isn’t good because less muscle means your body doesn’t burn as many calories. But when you do strength training, you hold on to your muscle, so the weight you lose is more likely to be fat, not muscle. This helps you stay strong and keeps your metabolism (the way your body burns calories) high.
Strength training also helps your body use sugar better. When your muscles are bigger and stronger, they help your body manage blood sugar levels more efficiently. This is important because when your body uses sugar well, it’s less likely to store extra calories as fat. So, by getting stronger, you’re helping your body stay balanced and healthy, which supports your weight loss goals.
Over time, as you get used to strength training, your body becomes better at using fat for energy. This means your body learns to burn fat more efficiently, which helps you lose fat and keep it off. And because strength training makes your muscles stronger, it also makes it easier to do everyday activities. When things like carrying groceries or climbing stairs feel easier, you’re more likely to stay active, which helps you burn even more calories throughout the day.
The best part about strength training is that it helps you keep the weight off for good. By building and keeping your muscles strong, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. A strong body burns more calories, stays active, and helps you maintain a healthy weight. So, if you’re looking to lose weight and keep it off, strength training is a smart and powerful way to do it.
Article provided by RMT and Certified Personal Trainer, Ian Paron. Ian knows the importance of maintaining muscle and strength and the vital role they play in both performance and quality of life. Ian shares his passion for strength training with everyone from competitive athletes looking to prevent injury or increase their performance, to retired grandparents wanting to be able to continue to play with their grandchildren.
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