Muffin Top-Less

Cardio does not tone… running for hours on the treadmill is not going to give you that look… in fact, excessive cardio has the opposite effect on your body! (http://muffintop-less.tumblr.com/RunnersBeware)

Why?

Because “tone” comes from muscle, and excessive cardio breaks down muscle (the opposite of what you want). In order to build muscle, you need to incorporate some kind of strength or resistance training into your routine (and obviously get enough protein in your diet). Most of the girls I post on my tumblr lift weights (such as Alex, the girl in the picture). In fact, weight lifting can actually help to reduce the appearance of cellulite!

“Weight training, which incorporates free weights, weight machines and resistance bands, builds muscle. Gaining more muscle boosts your metabolic rate. A faster metabolism causes your body to burn more calories. When your body needs energy, it will tap into its supply of stored fat. While the body doesn’t burn its subcutaneous fat for energy, losing weight may relieve the pressure between the upper layer of fat and the connective tissue, thereby reducing the appearance of cellulite, says Marcelle Pick, one of the founders of the Women To Women Clinic, a health center in Maine.”

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do cardio.. or that it’s bad for you. It just means you shouldn’t do it in excess if you are trying to be “tone”. =)