Weight Loss Myths Exposed

by Jeff Consiglio

The subject of weight loss is full of myths. Some of the myths are spread by well meaning but misinformed individuals and others are spread by 'quick weight loss' hucksters more interested in thinning out your bank account than your waistline.

This month we're going to take a look at two such myths.

Weight Loss Myth 1 - Muscle Burns Lots of Calories:

Personal fitness trainers, exercise physiologist and other fitness "experts" are fond of telling their clients; "Muscle burns lots of calories". The client is encouraged to build muscle mass, in order to turn their body into a "fat burning machine". The "expert" explains to the client how one pound of muscle tissue will burn between 50 to 100 calories per day - even while you sleep!

Sounds great doesn't it? Simply add 5 to 10 pounds of muscle to your frame, and you'll be able to spend the rest of your life gorging at 'all you can eat buffets' without any negative impact on your waistline. After all, your muscle is going to burn up all those extra calories, right?

Wrong!

The myth that muscle burns lots of calories has been repeated so many times, it's accepted as gospel by most people. But the truth is muscle actually burns far fewer calories than we've been led to believe.

It turns out that one pound of muscle only burns between 4.6 to 6.8 calories per day! Not nearly as impressive sounding as 50 to 100 calories per day is it? You heard it here first. Muscle is a LOW calorie burner.

As a quick aside, the people who tell you that muscle burns lots of calories will usually tell you in the same breath that fat burns zero calories. This is also false. One pound of body fat actually burns about 2 calories per day.

So we can see that a given amount of muscle burns about twice as many calories as the same amount of fat tissue. And twice as much of very little is still very little. So the next time some personal trainer or "exercise expert" tells you that muscle burns lots of calories, you'll know better.

Now, don't get me wrong, building muscle is not a total waste of time. Lean muscle tissue is what gives your body shape and form. If your muscles are atrophied away you'll look flabby, even if you're not over weight.

Besides that, it's nice to have a reserve of physical strength to tap into. Having weak muscles is like driving the highway of life in a 4-cylinder car. Having strong muscles allows you to glide gracefully through life with the feeling of 'V-8 Power'. And, of course, there are many other health and psychological benefits to be derived from a strength training program.

But the only way having muscles will turn you into a "fat burning machine"... is if you MOVE those muscles!

Weight Loss Myth 2 - The Best Way to Lose Weight is through Food Restriction ---->