Yoga, Long Walks, and Still No Weight Loss? Here’s What You’re Missing!

Have you been trying Yoga, Jogging or Walking, in an attempt to lose Weight? Many people try out Yoga, or cardio. They even spend a load of time on the Treadmill or jogging in a park, but still see little or no weight loss results.

This brings us to wonder, why nothing is happening, even after putting in so much effort? But the fact of the matter is that this is a very common scenario. So, let me explain what is happening here.

Firstly, if you have just started cardio, you will see a bit of weight Loss, but it will soon plateau off. Some people might even see some weight gain after that.

Why Cardio or Yoga Alone Isn’t Always Effective for Weight Loss?

Many people turn to yoga, long walks, or running when trying to lose weight. While these activities are amazing for heart health, flexibility, and mental well-being, they might not be enough if your main goal is fat loss.

Here’s what usually happens. In the beginning, you might see initial weight loss from cardio or yoga. But soon, your body adapts to the activity.

This results in a weight loss plateau, or sometimes even weight gain.

Your body is smarter than you think, it learns to do the same activity with less energy.

So, the outcome is less fat burn, even though you continue running, or jogging or doing yoga. Now don’t get me wrong. Yoga, walking, jogging or running has it pros and must be a part of your routine when you are looking at holistic health.

Some benefits include, Yoga not only ensures your body is flexible and toned, but also calms your mind. Walking, running and jogging not only is good for your heart, but also for your lungs.

But as a medium for weight Loss, these do not fare too well.

Your next question might then be. So, what can I do, how can I lose weight effectively?

Now, you will want to trick your body and keep it guessing as to what is to come, if you want to see some good weight loss. What do I mean?

Let me explain further. In a Cardio or yoga workout your body gets very quickly used to the routine. Now if you were to use different parts of your body in a workout, every now and then, your body would not get time to get used to any routine.

Activity	Calories Burned During	Calories Burned After	Long-Term Fat Burn
Cardio (e.g., running)	Yes	No	Limited
Strength Training	Yes	Yes (afterburn effect)	Sustainable Fat Loss

Your body has got smart, but you have got smarter. Any. how do you go about doing this?

That brings us to the answer, Resistance or Strength Training.

By Yoga too you might be working out different parts of your body, but the energy you expend is minuscule in comparison, so it essentially falls in the category of cardio.

When done right, you can keep this guess game up with your body, which will continuously try to adapt but will not get the chance to do so. Thus, you can be in a perpetual fat burning mode.

Another effect of Resistance training is that when you apply resistance to a muscle or group of muscles, there are minute tears that happen in them.

Don’t worry this is normal. Now to repair these tears your body will be using a lot of energy even when you are resting.

Now can you see the difference in Cardio and Strength training/ Resistance training?

In cardio you used up energy only when working out, but with resistance training you continue using up energy long after your workout is complete, up to hours at times (depending on the intensity of the workout).

But I Don’t Want to Look “Bulky”

Now the concern I sometimes get, especially from Ladies is that, Will this not make me gain muscle and look all manly (for the ladies)? Gents will love looking all bulked up. If you are a man reading this, I am not talking to you here!

This will never be the case, and here is a secret. Actually, almost all the models in most of the feminine magazines do resistance training.

Conversely, to look like a body builder takes a lot of effort in a different direction, and is never achieved by fluke. So, don’t worry you will not look like that. Unless you want to look like that and put in the effort in that direction.

Thus, if you want to Lose Weight consistently, you should seriously consider resistance/strength training.

Wrapping Up – Yoga, Long Walks, and Still No Weight Loss

If you’re serious about losing weight consistently, here’s what works combine resistance training 3-4 times a week. Add cardio or yoga for flexibility and heart health. Follow a balanced diet (calorie deficit is key), and Stay consistent