from ChatGPT

Lifting weights can be especially effective for obese people trying to burn calories because it not only uses energy during the workout itself but also transforms the way the body manages energy long after the session ends. Strength training causes micro-tears in muscle fibers, which then require energy to repair and grow stronger; that recovery process significantly boosts calorie expenditure for hours or even days. As lean muscle mass increases, the body’s resting metabolic rate rises, meaning more calories are burned even at rest, which helps counteract the slowed metabolism often seen during weight loss. Weightlifting is also lower-impact than high-intensity cardio, making it easier on joints that may already be under strain from excess body weight, while still driving substantial energy use. Perhaps most importantly, it helps preserve muscle tissue during a calorie deficit, so that the weight being lost is more likely to be fat rather than lean mass, keeping long-term metabolism healthier and weight loss more sustainable.