31 Days of Latinas losing weight: Tip #13 (VIDEO)

When it comes to losing weight, diet is the most important thing. I've said this before and I'll say it again: You need to be eating healthy. Of course, that's the whole point of our 31 Days of Latinas Losing Weight challenge: to get you to take those baby steps, particularly in your eating habits, for lasting weight loss. However, that doesn't mean that you can be lazy and not exercise. We know that you need a combination of both to maintain your weight loss. I've already told you to start walking a little more each day and which easy activities will burn 100 calories pretty quickly, but check out Tip #13 for the next great exercise tip!

Read more ¿Qué más?: 31 Days of Latinas losing weight: Tip #12

I'm one of those girls that has always been afraid of resistance training. I mean, whenever I think of doing weights, I picture one of those women with huge, unattractive muscles that basically look like the Hulk (and I don't mean the kind of cute She-Hulk, I mean the big, mean ugly green guy). It is NOT pretty and I never want to end up that way.

As I learned in the video below, though, there are some VERY important reasons as to why we ladies have to start training our muscles. First of all, it builds bone density. Secondly, it burns glycogen stores which means that more of the carbs we eat will become glycogen (more to burn!) instead of fat. Third, having muscles means burning fat even when we're being lazy and just sitting on the couch all night. And, last but not least, it amplifies our metabolism!

Read more ¿Qué más?31 Days of Latinas losing weight: Tip #11

Now aren't those reasons enough to start a little resistance training?! I certainly think so. Don't be afraid and just DO IT.

Of course, not all workouts are created equal. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Women's Health The Best Workouts For Your Body Type. Since I am a pear shape, I know exactly what kind of workout I should be doing in order to tone up. And that's really the whole point of it anyway, isn't it? It's not that I'm looking for crazy huge muscles or incredible strength, I just want to build a nice, lean body. And if getting those muscles is ALSO going to help me burn more fat, then let's DO IT!

Image via Thinkstock