The number one way for obese people to lose fat is the

exact same for those that are only 20 pounds overweight.

Strength training is the best way to cut through fat and

burn through calories. There's no difference between

strength training for the obese and strength training for

everyone else.

When we strength train, we add lean muscle mass to our

body. This lean muscle mass burns through 35-50 calories

per pound of muscle every single day. Let's take a look at

that number from a different point of view. If we have 5

pounds of lean muscle, that muscle will burn about 250

calories a day. Here comes the fun part. If we have 10

pounds of lean muscle mass, then our muscles burn about 500

calories a day. Hopefully you can see why adding lean

muscle is the best way to lose fat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that

we are obese if we have a BMI (body mass index) of 30.0 or

greater. Being obese is not healthy. It leads to a host

of diseases and illnesses. I'm almost positive you already

knew that.

Obese and over weight people can use functional exercises

to begin changing their health. Exercises like squats and

bicep curls will help strengthen the muscles we use in

everyday movements. Often these movements are difficult

for obese people. Keep up your workout routine and you'll

notice that getting in and out of the car, walking to the

mailbox, going upstairs and simply lifting heavy boxes will

all become less of a hassle.

Strength training for the obese is the same as strength

training for slender people. The difference comes in the

starting point. It's so important to talk with your

doctor, get the go ahead to workout, and then create a

routine that you feel suits you best. Take one step at a

time and before you know it, you will have taken 5,000

steps.