If we want to lose weight, the obvious approach is to eat less and ramp up cardio. This actually works pretty well in the short-run.

But in the long run, our bodies adapt to the lower food intact, activity level inevitably recedes, and we end up with a maintenance caloric intake lower than where we started, often starting a downward spiral.

What’s the answer? Starting in the other direction.

Rather than restricting food to start, we’d be better off making sure we’re eating a good quantity of wholesome, nutrition-dense food and building up our strength and muscle baseline. Since increased muscle mass improves our metabolism (not to mention many other things) this proactive step, although it takes longer to start, sets us up much better for a long-term healthy body and lifestyle.

If you want short-term results, take a shortcut. Otherwise, it’s worth starting with the long-term vision in mind.

-Brandon