FAQ: If you want to tone, what should you do…weights or cardio?

The answer is technically BOTH 😜 However, let’s define what you actually want first…

What makes a “toned” body? That REALLY means you want LESS body fat and MORE definition. Body fat has no shape, so what brings that toned look? Muscle mass!

You might have been told, “Do cardio to lose weight first, then start strength training” 🙄
That’s the WORST advice ever! 😬
Cardio alone might help you lose weight but doesn’t have affect on lean muscle mass.

Strength training is necessary to create AND maintain muscle mass. More muscle mass = higher metabolism = more shape & strength = a better foundation to have a lean physique.

In order to actually SEE the “toned look” that is where you need proper nutrition, targeted cardio & overall physical activity and optimal hormone levels.

Doing a balance of strength AND cardio training, at the SAME TIME, is what you need for weight/fat loss!

Muscle mass is important beyond looks; it supports bone and joint health and overall strength, so you can also have more stability, more range of motion and less pain!

Nope, don’t hate the messenger, but poor food quality, eating more than your metabolic burn and imbalanced hormones makes you “bulky” 🤔

Takeaway: We need both cardio and strength training for results.

Strength training is what is necessary to create AND maintain muscle mass. More muscle mass = higher metabolism = more shape & strength = a better foundation to have a lean physique.

In order to SEE that muscle definition, you must have proper nutrition, optimal hormone functioning and the right balance of cardio/aerobic training.

Fast Facts about Muscle vs Fat

1.     Fat cells cannot turn into muscle cells and vice versa. You can shrink them or enlarge them (and create more fat cells!), but fat will always be fat and muscle will always be muscle. Your body physiologically does actually need both muscle & fat. So the goal should really be to 1. create more (and maintain) muscle and 2. decrease the size of the fat cells while minimizing the creation of more.

2. Muscle and fat technically weigh the same, but muscle is takes up less space than fat. That is why you can have 2 people with the same weight, but different body fat percentages and look totally different!

3.Muscle is metabolically active & will actually cause your body to burn calories! The better your metabolism, the better opportunities you reach your physique goals.

 Muscle mass is important beyond looks; it supports bone and joint health and overall strength, so you can also have more stability, more range of motion and less pain!

PS: I’ve been lifting for 14 years & still not bulky 🤣

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