It seems counter-intuitive, doesn't it? Burning calories, does not seem like the best way to gain, but believe it or not, it really can help you gain weight. Of course the type of exercise is a huge factor in gaining weight.
Let's review my weight loss experience. I was losing weight very quickly. I decided to preserve my energy as much as possible and limited my activity as much as possible, but I still lost weight after that. Why?
Well, muscles are very amazing. When they are stretched and used they tear. Then they repair themselves, making them bigger and bulkier. Muslces becomes developed when they are used. The body sends precious nutrients to these muscles, especially protein to repair the tears.
When weight loss is already a problem and muscles are not being used, not tearing, or needing to be rebuilt, those precious nutrients are sent to more vital body parts. The brain recognizes the muscles not being used and sends as little as possible to the muscles. This decrease causes the muscles to atrophy, or get smaller.
If the brain recognizes nutrients are needed else where, in my case for milk supply, the brain may tell the body to break down less important cells. These are first fat cells and then muscles cells typically. The human body is resourceful. This is why, severe weight loss can be so damaging. Eventually once most of the muscles cells and all of the fat cells are dried up, the body will break down all kinds of cells for energy, even brain cells in extreme cases. This can be devsatating to the body.
Well, muscles are very amazing. When they are stretched and used they tear. Then they repair themselves, making them bigger and bulkier. Muslces becomes developed when they are used. The body sends precious nutrients to these muscles, especially protein to repair the tears.
When weight loss is already a problem and muscles are not being used, not tearing, or needing to be rebuilt, those precious nutrients are sent to more vital body parts. The brain recognizes the muscles not being used and sends as little as possible to the muscles. This decrease causes the muscles to atrophy, or get smaller.
If the brain recognizes nutrients are needed else where, in my case for milk supply, the brain may tell the body to break down less important cells. These are first fat cells and then muscles cells typically. The human body is resourceful. This is why, severe weight loss can be so damaging. Eventually once most of the muscles cells and all of the fat cells are dried up, the body will break down all kinds of cells for energy, even brain cells in extreme cases. This can be devsatating to the body.
Thus we see that when muscles are being used and needing repairs, exercise can be very beneficial to making sure calories are distributed to the appropriate cells. Since I have started exercising again, I have noticed my muscles becoming more developed. My knee high boots even fit around my calves again!
So exercise is important to maintain and even build weight via muscles! huzzah!
Exercise comes in two major groups which can be divided into even smaller sub-groups, but for now, let's focus on the two majors ones, shall we?
Aerobic exercise is the first. This can be activities such as running, walking, swimming, and soccer. Oxygen is freely used throughout the body and the exchange of blood gases is prevalent in all cells of the body. Blood flow is fast and furious. Funny sidenote, because blood is moving so fast through your body sometiems you'll find yourself needing to go pee halfway through your workout, because of how much volume you're pumping through your kidneys. These exercises require more calories to perform.
Aerobic exercise is very good exercise for losing weight.
Anaerobic exercise is activities like weight lifting. Weight lifting is anaerobic because your muscle cells are not receiving oxygen like normal. blood gases like O2 and CO2 are not moving in and out of your body. this lack of exchange causes a build up of lactic acid. This is the burn you feel. Feel the burn! Be aware that this kind of anaerobic exercise also takes place in fast repitious movements and sustained poses. These exercises require less calories.
What does this mean for us?
Exercise comes in two major groups which can be divided into even smaller sub-groups, but for now, let's focus on the two majors ones, shall we?
Aerobic exercise is the first. This can be activities such as running, walking, swimming, and soccer. Oxygen is freely used throughout the body and the exchange of blood gases is prevalent in all cells of the body. Blood flow is fast and furious. Funny sidenote, because blood is moving so fast through your body sometiems you'll find yourself needing to go pee halfway through your workout, because of how much volume you're pumping through your kidneys. These exercises require more calories to perform.
Aerobic exercise is very good exercise for losing weight.
Anaerobic exercise is activities like weight lifting. Weight lifting is anaerobic because your muscle cells are not receiving oxygen like normal. blood gases like O2 and CO2 are not moving in and out of your body. this lack of exchange causes a build up of lactic acid. This is the burn you feel. Feel the burn! Be aware that this kind of anaerobic exercise also takes place in fast repitious movements and sustained poses. These exercises require less calories.
What does this mean for us?
In anaerobic exercise, so weight lifing or even yoga, we find less calories are required but the muscles are still telling the brain they are hungry. The brain gives the muscles what they want and then increases our appetites so we can provide our bodies what they need. Neat huh?
Our bodies are so cool like this! All of this, this complete process happens without a conscience thought! Isn't that just the coolest thing ever?
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