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How I slimmed down on one hour's exercise a week

March 16, 2011 12:52
workout

ByAlex Kasriel, Alex Kasriel

2 min read

Over the past three years (apart from nine months during pregnancy) my weight has been at its lowest since teenagerdom. The weird thing is that, while I was trying to diet and exercise I languished at a weight two stone heavier than at present.

Since I stopped dieting the weight has dropped off. Now I only eat food I enjoy, including butter, red meat, chocolate, potatoes etc, I am satisfied quicker, so eat less. And I have not stopped exercising altogether, I do one session a week called Body Pump in which I build up my muscle mass.

So how is it that I am slimmer than I have ever been in my adult life? One reason is that my basal metabolic rate or BMR has increased. Dr Nicola Lowe, senior lecturer in nutrition at the University of Central Lancashire, explains: "The amount of calories you burn depends on your muscle mass. Fat isn't metabolically active, it just sits there. Muscle mass uses energy to keep it going. So your BMR will be higher if you have a more muscle or lean tissue in your body. Increasing lean tissue mass is important for increasing BMR which will help us burn more calories when we're at rest."

At Body Pump I use large weights, which build up my muscle mass enough to burn more calories while I'm resting.