Crunch question

[Mish19]

If I do crunches as part of my exercise will it make a positive difference if I'm at the weight loss part and not muscle toning?

[glo]

Yes!!!!

Muscle burns more calories and for longer. So the more muscle you create the more, calories your body burns :) Also, muscle building makes you trimmer, so even if you aren't seeing a loss on the scale, you may see it from measuring.

[bicker]

It's a hard tack to take, because at that phase you're so focused on one measure -- to be working towards another seems to be a waste of time. However, it isn't. While it may take some time away from calorie-burning, which will directly contribute to your weight-loss, crunches and similar exercise will help build up muscle, which contributes to weight-loss maintenance -- your ability to keep the weight off once you've lost it. Every bit of work you do before you get to maintenance helps. As long as it doesn't take so much away from your short-term efforts that it results in demotivation, you should aim to do as much of that as you can.

[nativetxn]

Okay, I'm off to do some crunches now :)

Thanks for asking this question, Michelle :)

[Luckymommyx2]

When my husband went to the gym a trainer told him not to do any crunches until he lost some weight. This trainer said it would build the stomach muscle and in turn push everything out making him look heavier!? I'm sorry but this just doesn't sound right to me, does it to you?! What concerns me is this coming from a so-called trainer! It hasn't stopped me from my crunches but it did my husband until I slapped him up 'long side the head! (lol...only kidding...didn't really slap him ;) )

[nativetxn]

LOL, luckymommyx2, you just <i>strongly</i> encouraged him?

There are lots of mistaken experts in the fitness world. Just do what works for you :)