Photo: Contributed

With so much health and fitness information available over the internet, or in magazines and books, some may be confused as to which information is fact and which should be ignored! It always seems there are so many different answers! I have had many emails from my followers asking some great fitness and health questions, looking for real answers! So here they are:

 

Question #1:  How many calories does it take to lose 1 pound?  What is the best way to start burning the calories if I am looking to lose 10 pounds?

Answer:  It takes a 3500 calorie deficit to lose 1 pound! This may sound like an overwhelming amount of calories especially if you are looking to lose 10 pounds totaling a deficit of 35 thousand calories. The best way to lose this weight and succeed at your goal is to do it the healthy way. Incorporating a fitness routine that works with your lifestyle as well as proper eating habits with a focus on speeding up the metabolism will be the healthiest way to go for long term success! Having the help and support of a personal trainer will ensure to keep you on track and motivated. Maintaining a focus of 1-2 pounds per week weight loss is a healthy mindset and is definitely achievable with proper exercise and nutrition.

 

Question #2:  Is it true that you can burn more calories during the 23 hours that you don’t exercise, than the 1 hour that you do?

Answer:  The average person burns about 2,000 calories per day without exercise. However, it should be noted that this number varies slightly depending on the individual's metabolism and calorie intake needs, not to mention daily routine. Sleep alone, based on 8 hours can be a total burn of 380 calories, so imagine what using the stairs and intensifying your everyday activities can bring you for calories burned.

When working out, it's always a great idea to wear a heart rate monitor to track the amount of calories burned during your workout as well as to monitor the heart rate. This is a great way to keep you on track and see what style of workout is the best calorie scorcher for you!


Question #3:  I have heard that muscle weighs more than fat.  How much more per pound does it weigh?

Answer:  Muscle does not weigh more than fat.  Where the misunderstanding often comes in is that muscle is much more dense than fat, so that by volume, it seems to weigh more. One pound of muscle occupies less space than a pound of fat. In addition, because a pound of muscle burns more fat than a pound of fat, even at rest, by increasing your lean muscle tissue mass, you're helping your body burn more calories. So hit the gym and get lifting some weights!

Question #4:  Why is it so challenging to get rid of cellulite and what is the best way to do so?

Answer:  Once an adult, fat cells are created, but they cannot be lost, only shrunken! Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not caused by excess weight. It's all in your genes, which explains why even skinny women can have it too. Cellulite is caused by clumps of fat cells that push up against surrounding fibrous connective tissue. The inherent thinning of the skin's support structure makes fat cells more obvious. This is what gives you dimples and what appears to be clumps of fat under your skin.

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. Exercise can cut down on cellulite, building up the muscles in the back of the leg and in the buttocks can mask cellulite, so add squats, lunges and deadlifts to your fitness routine!