- Image by J.C. Rojas via Flickr
If you’ve been following my Fitness Family posts, you know that I don’t only promote an active lifestyle for me and my family, I also try to influence and inspire other moms to transition to an active and healthy lifestyle as well.
I’m sure you already know that activity burns calories. Sure, big deal. But did you know that with activity, you can raise your metabolism for hours after you’ve stopped exercising? It’s called the Afterburn Effect.
Once you’re done working out or whatever activity you were doing, the rate at which you burn calories remain higher than usual and doesn’t slow back down for quite sometime. So, if you burn a good chunk of calories while exercising, you get a bonus of burning more calories after, without any extra effort.
Research shows that one’s metabolism can stay elevated for up to sixteen hours after exercise. The more vigorous your exercise, the longer the afterburn effect. It’s also interesting to note that the more muscles you have, the more calories you burn, even when you’re just sitting around doing nothing.
Because muscle and metabolism are so closely related, keeping your muscles intact will prevent any slowdown in the rate at which you burn calories. Building more muscles is even better because it will raise your metabolism.
So, to ensure that your body is burning calories at its maximum capacity, including both aerobic exercise and strength training in your routine is the best way to go.
Now that you know about the post-exercise metabolism boost that only activity can give you, could there possibly be a reason not to be active?
I rest my case.
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Great post and something I think many forget about! Thanks for the remnder.
Karla Bond´s last [type] ..Father’s Day Baskets
That’s why it is so important for women to build muscle. We don’t have the testosterone men have, so we don’t bulk up like they do. And more muscle means burning more calories at rest.
Adding weights 2 times per week for 20 minutes is all you need to start building muscle. And then, watch the weight fall off!
Debbie Lattuga´s last [type] ..Advantages Of Weight Training
My husband continually tells me that I have to lift weights as well as do cardio exercise, for the same reasons. It’s hard to keep up, but I’m glad you’re staying on top of being active and healthy.
Great inspirational post Cherrie! This is yet another reason to get up and move! I’d feel like a lazy bum right now, but guess what? I worked out with my personal trainer today at lunch! Woot! Burn baby burn!!
Janice – The Fitness Cheerleader´s last [type] ..Mamavation – Because Losing Weight On Your Own Is Hard
Hi Cherrie
Ok, so after I check out tweetspinner, I’m going to go hiking.
Been sitting on my butt for the past 2 days! Time to get out and EXERCISE!!
Thanks for the reminder!
XO
Wendy
Maybe that extra metabolic lift is also responsible for the fact that you feel energized after a good workout!
Deb´s last [type] ..Finding Time To Exercise
Hi Cherrie,
Many people don’t know this about muscle building and ignore that aspect to weight loss. One thing my doctor always told me is to not stop eating protein when losing weight or else I would actually lose muscle and that would really be bad for my metabolism.
Thanks for these great tips!
Blessings ♥,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last [type] ..Weight Loss Motivation Tips Encouragement and Quotes