Does muscle soreness after exercise lead to weight loss?

Nov 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I always experience severe muscle soreness after exercising. I'm now wondering if this soreness means that I'm losing weight?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian

Weight loss primarily relies on burning body fat to reduce weight. Exercise promotes fat burning and aids in weight loss, but muscle soreness itself does not directly reduce body weight. However, muscle soreness indicates that muscles are repairing and strengthening, which helps increase the basal metabolic rate, having a positive long-term effect on weight loss. If exercise is stopped due to muscle soreness, the weight loss process will slow down. Consistent and regular exercise is necessary for effective weight loss.

It is recommended to schedule rest days within the exercise plan to allow muscle recovery while maintaining overall activity levels. Combining healthy eating habits can make weight loss efforts more effective. Appropriate stretching and low-intensity recovery exercises can alleviate muscle soreness, promote recovery, and help maintain continuity in the exercise program.