“What’s the best exercise to burn fat”?
^^ a question I get asked a lot
But what if chasing the exercise that’s “the most fat burning” was actually the thing that’s stopping you from losing weight…
Here’s why
#1: It’s not just about what you burn.
Weight loss still comes down to being in a calorie deficit.
That means energy in matters just as much as energy out.
And that brings us to…
#2: You might be overcompensating (without realising).
A study looked at what happened when people were told they were doing a fat-burning workout…
And they found that people with high stress, fatigue, or low positive well-being ended up eating more food after the session — compared to when the same workout was labelled “endurance”.
Interestingly, labeling an exercise bout ‘fat-burning’ (unexpectedly) reduced consumption in individuals with high behavioral regulation and in individuals who perceived physical activity as enjoyable rather than stressful..
What does this mean?
When we see exercise as something we “have to do to burn fat,” it can feel like a punishment.
And subconsciously?
We MAY reward ourselves after. (“I earned this… right?”)
But when people did the same workout and actually looked for the benefits of doing exercise from the point of view of bone health, longevity, fun…and dare I say it ‘enjoyed it’?
They ate less — and felt better for it.
It’s a shift in mindset from ‘I HAVE to exercise’ towards ‘ I GET to exercise. After all, it’s only when an injury or illness comes that we realise how precious being able to do exercise and get stronger actually is. I’m grateful for having the choice.
So what’s the takeaway?
If you’re only doing workouts to “burn calories” or “melt fat”…
You might be setting yourself up to undo all your hard work later in the kitchen.
Instead:
- Move to feel stronger
- Train to improve your energy, mobility, and health
- Do it because it helps you live longer AND better
- And don’t forget to prioritise your calories and protein intake if weight loss, health and longevity are your goals
(comment or message me with ‘Calories’ and I will send you a calculator to help you work out how many calories and how much protein you need)
That’s exactly what we focus on inside the 28-Day Kickstart.
– No punishment workouts
– Just simple, structured training that helps you feel good, progress at your pace and get results (as long as you stick to it)
If you’re 40+, 50+, 60+, or 70+ and want to feel fitter, tone up, and actually enjoy the process?
Message me with “kickstart” and I’ll send you all the info.
The goal isn’t just to burn fat.
It’s to stop burning out in the process too.
Matt