Lifting weights and fat burning

[CuJo1992]

How much extra fat can you burn from lifting weights and do you burn more fat lifting weights than you do with cardio exercises?

[lia]

You can burn fat from both. That's why it's a good idea to do both. Just remember that when you do exercise steadily, your body composition will change, so it may seem as though you are not losing weight even though you are, you're just gaining lean muscle instead. The trick is to keep it up and continue pushing forward so you don't hit a never-ending plateau.

[madscientist]

Also, the more muscle you build, the faster your metabolism will work. :)

[CuJo1992]

Also, the more muscle you build, the faster your metabolism will work. :)

Really? Why is that? I would think that if you had more fat you would have more fat to burn.

[brightstar]

Really? Why is that? I would think that if you had more fat you would have more fat to burn.

The simple reason is that muscle uses a lot more energy at rest than fat does.

[lia]

The simple reason is that muscle uses a lot more energy at rest than fat does.

Also true! I think on average 10 pounds of muscle burn about 50 calories at rest in a day compared to 20 calories for 10 pounds of fat. Muscle tissues burns more calories because it is more metabolically active. The more muscle you have, the greater your resting expenditure, so your body ends up burning more calories when you're not doing anything.

[treehuggertodd]

Also true! I think on average 10 pounds of muscle burn about 50 calories at rest in a day compared to 20 calories for 10 pounds of fat. Muscle tissues burns more calories because it is more metabolically active. The more muscle you have, the greater your resting expenditure, so your body ends up burning more calories when you're not doing anything.

Exactly. And that's important to know because unlike fat which will accumulate if you do nothing, muscle needs to be used in order for you to maintain it.

[lia]

Exactly. And that's important to know because unlike fat which will accumulate if you do nothing, muscle needs to be used in order for you to maintain it.

That's it! Use it or lose it. :D