Odds are you have read in a magazine, watched on tv, heard on the radio, or talked about it at some point: weight loss. Whether weight loss is a discussion regarding the newest trend to help lose weight quickly, or simply fueling our never-ending pursuit of losing more weight, it is something we are obsessed with in Western society.

For years as an athlete, online trainer, and fitness coach, weight loss is a topic I speak about, hear about, or read about daily. From writing to clients about their weight loss goals, reading about it on social media, or giving tips to help others, it is a topic I can not avoid. 

So let's talk about weight loss and why it is so important to us, and why we very rarely focus on fat loss. We don't focus on weight loss more than fat loss because it is more important, but because we do not fully understand the difference, and how to track fat loss (or who should be) in a way that keeps us motivated the same way we do when we see the number on the...

So you took some time off from the gym... 

You may be reading this thinking: "Why would you EVER take time off from the gym?? Rest is for the WEAK. #NoDaysOff"

First off, chill.

It is true that in order to build muscle, you need to be in a caloric surplus and put in work at the gym. However, there are times when getting to the gym every day is not realistic. 

Maybe you got injured and were required to take time off for recovery.

Maybe a major life event caused you to take a break from the gym.

Or maybe you have found yourself int the middle of a pandemic and all of the gyms have been shut down for the last 3+ months.

Whatever your reason for taking time off from the gym, it is important to understand the science behind rebuilding lost muscle, and the steps needed to rebuild safely, and effectively. 

Have you truly lost muscle?

If you have taken more than 3 weeks off from the gym, it is very possible that you are beginning to experiencing...