Lift that gut off using weights and fasting!

The most effective way to blast off those extra inches in your midsection? Hit the weights, says a new study in the journal obesity. For 12 years, research tracked the waist circumference of 10,500 men who either lifted on a regular basis, or who mostly just did cardio. Results: the cardio group gained nearly twice as much belly fat as the weight lifters. “People who weight train have a higher metabolic rate, and that increases there energy expenditure not just during the workout but for 48 hours after,” says study head Rania Mekary, PH.D. Don’t chuck those running shoes just yet, though. “We’re not trying to discredit aerobic activity,” says Mekary. “In fact we found a combination is ideal- you’ll get better results doing both.” Plus, if your trying to cut more body weight overall, the research found aerobic cut more pounds overall. The research found that you will lose more overall body weight then you will with lifting. But bottom line, lifting weights translates to more fat lose and lean muscle gain. Yes this means even women with more muscle will burn more body fat. Now, how can fasting assist you as well?

The miracle of the 12 hour fast. Going at least hours without eating has pretty amazing weight loss benefits, a new Salk institute study has found. Groups of mice on various diets. (Normal diets food high in sugar/carbs/fat) were allowed to around the clock, or forced to fast 12 hours a night. Results: mice that fasted at least 12 hours gained less weight overall than mice that were fed the same type and amount of food but had the run of the feed through all 24 hours. Even when the fasters got free “weekend passes” to gorge anytime, in the end they still put on fewer pounds. (Grams) than the non-stop nibblers. And when the non-fasting obese mice were put on the 12 hour fast, they dropped 5% of their body weight- though they were eating the same calories! The researchers, who hope to conduct human trials soon, theorize that overnight fasting makes the body switch from burning food to burning fat. Intermittent – fasting expert Mark Mattson, PH.D., of Johns Hopkins University, even advises limiting food intake to an eight hour window, to give your body a full 16 hours to act as a fat cooker. Sure, a 9 a.m. break- fast and 5 p.m. dinner may not be an easy lifestyle to follow – but, oh, those big breakfast specials!

The reason that it would be amazing to combine these to techniques would be optimum for results. The reason being because while you are in your window of eating you will be early in your day when your metabolism is burning through everything. So when you start lifting those weights your body will be going double time on burning fat and the food your taking in. then when you begin your 12 hour fast your body will switch completely to burning just fat. Because you will have already burned through the food you consumed but naturally going through your day. Your metabolism being high in the morning, and then after during your workout. Good luck with your endeavors and hope this is the right fat burning formula for you!