With the rise of Crossfit workouts, box-style and circuit training gyms – HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) has been rising exponentially in popularity. And rightly so.
HIIT workouts involve working at a high level of intensity for a short period of time, followed by a period of rest. Lather, rinse, repeat.
These interval-style workouts can not only boost your metabolism, lower your blood pressure, and improve your brain function, but they also do it in half the time of a typical full-body gym workout.
Saving time and get results??? Sign me up!!
But with all the hype around HIIT, we wondered if these type of workouts were truly effective as a weight loss tool?
Honey Coach says, “high-intensity training deprives muscles of oxygen much more quickly than regular cardio. This forces your body to burn more fuel during the muscle repair process, long after your workout is over. The overall effect? A revved-up metabolism that can help contribute to weight loss.”
So, while HIIT workouts do deliver the promise to increase your fitness and rev up your metabolism (hello, afterburn!), they shouldn’t be the only component in your weight loss tool kit. In order to see positive body changes, HIIT could be a part of one’s overall wellness plan… not the whole shebang!
But, what if you find yourself actually GAINING WEIGHT since you started incorporating HIIT workouts into your healthy routine?!
Here Are The 3 Most Common Reasons Why You May Be Gaining Weight With HIIT Workouts:
At the top of this list is the most likeliest culprit… your diet.
You’re not fueling your body properly
Ever heard the saying: “You can’t out-exercise a bad diet”?
Undisputedly your HIIT workout will improve your fitness and give you a good sweat, but it won’t help you lose weight IF you’re not keeping an eye on your daily nutrition.
PRO TIP: The mistake we often make is assuming that just because we’re exercising (especially when we’re exercising intensely), that we can eat whatever we want!
It’s BOTH!
Combine your HIIT workouts with proper nutrition and you’ll notice those inches coming off in no time.
Too much of a good thing?
When it comes to your workouts, you CAN get too much of a good thing.
If you are doing HIIT workouts every single day, there’s a chance you could be overtraining – and exercise overtraining has been linked to elevated cortisol levels which can result in weight gain, primarily around the belly.
PRO TIP: If you’re noticing weight gain, it’s recommended to do HIIT workouts only once or twice a week to avoid overtraining and keep hormone levels in check.
You’re too impatient!
You’ve just started high intensity interval training, and you’re being mindful of fueling your body properly, only the scale is going up, not down. Hmph. What gives?
It turns out that it’s actually incredibly common to experience a bit of weight gain within the first few weeks of starting any exercise program, including HIIT. Besides – the change on the scale likely does not equate to additional body fat!
So, What’s Actually Causing The Weight Gain With HIIT Workouts?
When you begin a new exercise program, your body is undergoing a lot of new stressors – yes, exercise is one form of stress!
New muscles are being recruited and “micro tears” + inflammation are being created in the muscle fibres. The body is very smart, and responds by retaining water at the site of “injury” and as a form of healing and protection.
This change is only temporary, however, and will subside after a few weeks of training.
PRO TIP: Instead of freaking out when you see the scale number rising, take a breath and know that results will come in time. Stick with your plan!
And one thing I tell all my clients – DO NOT MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS BY THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE!!
You are ultimately improving your health, most likely losing inches, and doing so much more good by being physically active, NO MATTER WHAT THE DARNED NUMBERS SAY!
If you’re up to getting off the couch and easing into a workout routine, get moving with my FREE time-crunched workout guide TODAY – Nothing to lose here except maybe an inch our two!
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