I just started walking to lose 50 pounds. A friend told me that I shouldn’t lift weights until I drop some pounds because it will make me look bigger. Is this true?
Not at all. In fact, lifting weights along with your walking may help you slip back into your “thin” pair of jeans quicker than just walking. Walking burns a hefty number of calories while you’re doing it. But weight training’s calorie burn is longer-lasting.
Pumping iron can prevent the loss of muscle that often accompanies weight loss – and can also build more muscle. This is good, because muscle is your body’s calorie-burning engine. It burns calories all day long, even when you’re sleeping. Consequently, the more muscle you have, the more calories you’ll burn.
Don’t worry about looking bigger if you gain some muscle. It takes up much less room than fat, so you’ll still look slimmer.
