I gave up running for CrossFit, thinking that I needed to focus on strength training. It definitely sparked my obsession for holding a barbell and swinging a kettlebell, and for challenging gymnastics moves like pull-ups and rope climbs, but without doing much consistent cardio, I ended up gaining weight, and it wasn't just muscle mass.
While lifting weights boosts your metabolism, builds calorie-burning muscle, and can transform your body composition, explained Hawaii-based ACE-certified personal trainer Esther Avant, she recommends "a side of higher-intensity interval training." While CrossFit does incorporate short high-intensity cardio, adding runs back into my weekly workouts is what helped me shed those extra pounds.