While doing cardio does burn calories, it shouldn't be your main focus. Strength training workouts are necessary for building muscle, which Nicole Aurigemma, MS, who works in physiology at Women's Health and Exercise Lab at Penn State says leads to weight loss.
"Focusing on strength training is going to build lean muscle that will change your body composition and keep you burning calories even at rest," Susan explained. Along with the four strength training sessions a week Jillian Michaels recommends, add some cardio you love, and go for high-intensity interval training. Like Susan said, "you may have the perfect one-two combination."