Whenever my wife starts of with, “Honey, I know it’s not your fault, and I shouldn’t blame you,” I know something is definitely amiss.
I waited patiently to hear what was the latest thing that I did not do, for which no perceive culpability would be attributed to me. It did not take long however to discern, since I heard the all too familiar remark as it pertained to her fitness level.
Although my daughter’s query happened later in the day, their comments surprisingly were the same. My wife stated that she did everything I did to gain a leaner physique, yet her results were not equaled to mine.
My daughter on the other hand acknowledged that she lost weight, but the corpulence around her midsection was unchanged. Why if she had followed my plan, as she put it, did she not attain similar results.
I decided to give the matter some thought rather than go into my customary fitness jargon that each had not duplicated my efforts to the letter. The following day while my wife and I prepared brunch, I broached the subject.
I wanted to refrain from being technical as possible, and explain in a way that was not condescending. The only two terms that would border on being abstruse would be lag and lead measures, which I’m sure my wife would understand and let me know if I had to simplify it when I had the same conversation with our daughter.
The lag measure is what most individuals focus on because it is easily attainable. One merely has to step on a scale, and the results of action or inaction can clearly be seen. The lead measure consist of steps that needs to be executed in order for the lag measure to change.
The lead measure I continued is consuming the correct number of macronutrients, (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) in the proper amounts, and more importantly at the correct times. Secondly, strength training has to be preferred method of burning fat, since the addition of muscles causes the body to burn it for longer periods of time, and lastly, cardio for stamina and to help the body burn fat as well.
The plan I laid out for you and our daughter is the same one I used, and I want you to think in terms of recomposition as opposed to losing weight. The first thing a person does when they lose something is go looking for it.
The ultimate aim is to reduce body fat, and obtain a leaner physique, but understand that your weight may increase since you’re adding muscles, which are denser than fat. So weighing oneself every day is an effort in futility, and your energy would be best utilized in monitoring the way you look in the mirror and how your clothes fit on you.
Let’s say for example you weigh 170 pounds, and your body fat is 40%, which equates to 68 pounds of fat. You follow the exercise regimen I prescribed and a few days later you step on the scale again. You weight has dropped to 168 pounds, but your body fat increased to 41%, you’re still at 68 pounds of fat.
So the exuberance you felt when you saw the 168 pounds on the scale quickly fades away when you see that the body fat has increased. If you look at it in terms of recomposition, you would be unfazed since the ratio of lean body mass and fat mass are . . .
Strength & Vigour 