Can You Lose Weight By Only Doing HIIT Workouts?

When it comes to weight loss, there is not a one-size-fits-all plan. Each person has a unique genetic makeup, individual circumstances, and dietary needs, which is what may make the Mediterranean diet beneficial for one person and a gluten-free diet better for another. The food that we eat supports both weight gain and loss. If it's the latter you are after, you may want to lean toward nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods, such as healthy fats, whole grains, and lots of fruits and veggies (via the Mayo Clinic). 

Exercise is also a critical component to losing weight, and there are many boot camps, spin classes, and online plans that promise to shred the fat. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another method that has picked up traction through the years, and for good reason. HIIT involves performing high-impact exercises in short spurts of time. According to Eat This, Not That!, HIIT workouts may be more beneficial for your overall health than longer ones, but when it comes to solely weight loss, you might need more than HIIT.

A fitness plan composed of these exercises is best for weight loss

Livestrong states that while HIIT is a legit exercise trend that delivers results, it is not the only workout you need for weight loss. Healthline reports that HIIT does burn a lot of calories, shreds fat, and increases your metabolic rate for a longer period of time, and this all contributes to weight loss. This is great news for those who want to get rid of excess calories in a short period of time. However, adding another form of training to your HIIT can maximize your weight loss, and even better, help you keep it off.

Along with your HIIT routine, you might want to consider adding in strength training to help build lean muscle mass. Livestrong notes that this will take the place of the fat you burn. The more muscle your body has, the more fat it burns, as muscle is more metabolically active than fat (via Verywell Fit). Weight training and HIIT together can help build and maintain muscle and burn calories. When combined with good nutrition, it may just be the holy grail of weight loss.