I want to start 2012 off right. Is more exercise or fewer calories better for losing fat?

Your goal is to create a caloric deficit by reducing food intake and by exercising to burn through more calories.

I suggest focusing on aerobic exercise for that because it accelerates the metabolic rate and doesn’t trigger the starvation response. In a nutshell, it boosts your fat-burning enzymes and hormones, then targets body fat for energy sources vs. muscle tissue.

 That, in turn, increases your cells’ sensitivity to insulin so carbohydrates are burned for energy and stored as glycogen rather than becoming stored fat.

Remember: Not all exercises are created equal.

Aerobic exercises vary in the amount of energy they use. And they can be performed for different durations and intensities.

I’d suggest reviewing Chapter 8 in my “Life Plan” book to learn about your target METs—oxygen measurement used in a minute for sitting/lying down—to achieve a healthier, more fit body for 2012.

Got a question? Email Dr. Life.