When I started my weight loss journey, I was enthusiastic about cutting down the kilograms as much as possible. Of course I enrolled in a local gym and my mind was set on attending aerobic classes as faithfully as I could. The first few months proved difficult because I would find myself panting quarter-way through the class. However, with time my body adjusted and sure enough I would go through the 1 hour aerobics class everyday without having in-between breaks. Consequently, my body appreciated the consistency and I lost a few kgs.

Losing those kgs was amazing because there is nothing sweeter than seeing results. Upon realizing that my workout sessions were paying off, I pushed myself to do more cardio classes. Surprisingly, after two months of intensive cardio, I took my weight measurements and realized that I had only lost 2 kgs. Taking into consideration, that I had adhered to my diet and was taking my aerobics classes consistently, the results were puzzling.

I was at a loss and knew that something was amiss. I undertook some research to understand where I had gone wrong. I came to learn that my body had attained tolerance to cardio. Since I was doing the same type of cardio sessions over and over again, my body hit a plateau. In essence, my body had considered these workouts a sort of routine and thus adjusted to accommodating them as a normal physiological process. For this reason, I was not losing any weight.

Majority of people in the weight loss journey hit a plateau. This is a state where the body acquires tolerance to cardio or aerobics due to the repetitive actions of the same type of workouts. As such, one realizes that after a few months they are unable to acquire the outcome they seek. During this period, it is very easy to give up because one is unmotivated due to the lack of results. Nonetheless, it is crucial that when you realize that your body has hit a plateau that you change your workout routine as well as the type of workouts you undertake.

Realigning your workouts from being an only cardio session to incorporate weight lifting is necessary. Lessen the number of times you perform HIIT, cardio or aerobics and instead increase the frequency of weight lifting. By doing so, the body responds by burning fat as it once did when you started working out using cardio workouts.When I changed my workouts and started strength training, I began seeing positive results. During this period I shed 7 kgs.

It is important to note that weight lifting is as significant as cardio during weight loss. Majority of persons losing weight – like myself – always focus on doing cardio workouts because we believe on the principle that the more we sweat the more we are burning fat. On the contrary, burning calories is not directly proportional to the level of sweating but rather to the diet and diversity of workouts that one has. Withdrawing one’s mindset from the myths that weight lifting causes one to be masculine – especially for women losing weight – is essential in integrating it in your weight loss journey.

Therefore, weight lifting is an important tool for anybody seeking to lose weight. Ensure that you create a balance in both cardio and weight lifting workouts by having as much diversity in your gym time. In due time, you will definitely see the results that you desire.