I'm very interested in this subject. I'm a regular hillwalker and also passionate about indoor climbing, so I use the muscles in my upper thighs and gluteus maximus a lot! But I often notice when I'm walking up a steep hill that I seem to be engaging my core muscles too. I wonder if that's one reason why losing belly fat helps you increase your pace on the hills too (apart from the obvious reason, that you're carrying less weight).
I lost 31lbs last year after overcoming subclinical hypothyroidism, and my fitness has rocketed since. I have also worked on strengthening my core through yoga, and on strengthening my scapular area, in order to improve my fitness for indoor bouldering.
I notice that friends who are carrying a lot of belly fat struggle to keep up with me on the hills, despite doing as much exercise as I do (or almost as much). I know how they feel, as I was like that before I lost my hypothyroid weight. No matter how much exercise I did, I would huff and puff my way up the hills, and go pretty slowly. This was partly due to being hypothyroid, but I also feel that the core area is key to this too, linked to belly fat.
I often skip up the hills now, and it feels as if the power is coming from my core - or as you say, from my leg muscles acting through my core. It feels to me as if the core is key to good health and fitness. I would love to learn more about it!
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Congrats on overcoming your hormonal imbalances. The endocrine system really can affect the bodies metabolism of energy. I am so happy you are experiencing improved energy levels.
You are correct by engaging the core during climbs. The more we resist movement in the lumbar spine, the better we transfer the energy from the legs to the direction we desire to move in.
From what I can gather, your weight loss and ’revival’ of your thyroid are where the majority of your fitness gains are coming from.
I hope that you will see continued progress in your exercise endeavours! Best of luck.
Thanks! The thyroid malfunction was quite a wake-up call really, and I feel fitter than ever now. Looking forward to reading more about the core.