Muscle weighs more than fat but gives us a much better body shape. This is one of the reasons why it is important to maintain or even increase muscle mass while we are on a weight loss program.
We have hundreds of different muscles in the body and it is important to use them all. If you have just been doing one type of exercise until now, then it is time to diversify.
Start gently because some of those muscle groups may not have been worked for a long time. But start!
Weight bearing exercise such as walking or running works many of the major muscles in the leg and core, and also strengthens the bones.
Resistance training can involve many muscle groups, not only the arms.
The core muscles of the back and abdomen can be targeted with specific workout routines, or stretched through yoga or Pilates programs.
Even if you just want to tone up one particular part of the body such as the abs or the thighs, it is important to involve all of the body's muscles.
Muscle has a higher metabolic rate than fat. A more muscular body can consume more calories without gaining, because the muscle requires more energy just for maintenance.
So muscle could be described as the furnace that naturally burns away our fat.
