While exercise alone isn't the fast track to weight loss, it can do wonders over time when paired with the right dietary strategy.
Content creator Mena Aljabanix is one of many who have demonstrated that significant weight loss doesn't require extreme measures or punishing gym routines.
Through her TikTok channel, she's shown how focusing on fundamental lifestyle changes can deliver impressive results.
Rather than following restrictive diets or gruelling workout programmes, Mena achieved her transformation by adopting a whole food diet and incorporating regular cardio into her routine.
TIKTOK / Mena Aljabanix
|Mena's diet emphasises minimally processed foods
Her approach emphasises consistency and sustainability over quick fixes.
The fitness enthusiast, who visits the gym at least six times weekly, has become one of many people sharing their success stories after making these straightforward adjustments to their daily habits.
Her whole food approach focuses on minimally processed items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and fish.
This eating pattern has gained traction amongst fitness enthusiasts seeking sustainable results, partly because the high fibre content in these foods plays a crucial role in weight management by promoting feelings of fullness and naturally preventing overeating.
This ultimately allows people to reduce their calorie consumption without the need for meticulous tracking of every meal.
By choosing whole foods over processed alternatives, dieters can maintain a caloric deficit while still enjoying satisfying, nutrient-dense meals that support their overall health and fitness goals.
Mena's cardio routine includes spending approximately 10 minutes on the stair climbing machine after each gym session.
The equipment has gained popularity among gym-goers who report notable weight loss achievements after adding it to their workouts.
In fact, Mena joins a growing number of fitness enthusiasts who have discovered the effectiveness of this particular form of cardio.
GETTY
|Cardio exercises like climbing the stair machine promote greater calorie burn
Michael Betts, Director at TrainFitness and a personal trainer with more than 30 years of experience, explained to GB News why this combined approach proves effective.
"Cardio and weight training both play important roles in weight loss, but neither is necessarily more important than the other," he said.
Michael noted that whilst cardio can burn more calories during workouts for quicker short-term results, "weight training helps build muscle, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. So, combining both is usually the best approach for long-term sustainable results".
He added that cardiovascular exercise enhances heart, lung and circulatory system health, improving overall endurance and stamina.