Dieting And Exercising For Weight Loss

 

Obesity is known to be an epidemic in the health community. In fact, sooner than smoking, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke, and cancer. As with all the health risks that lead to an overall improvement in quality of life, losing weight is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Whatever we believe, there is no magic way to lose weight. The body burns more fats when it needs more calories than you consume in a given day. Very simple. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the amount you burn.

There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss plan. They all tell what they eat often, to what extent, at what time, or in what combination they spend a lot of time. But some of them stress the importance of exercise—not just for weight loss, but for your overall health and well-being. Exercise is important when trying to lose weight for several reasons:

First, when you start eating less, your metabolism slows down a bit. Exercise helps to increase your metabolism to a better level. Second, as mentioned, the exercise burns more calories so you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts. Third, exercise actually releases endorphins and chemicals that keep your mood up.

Exercising doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym or struggling with strenuous exercise. In fact, for you to be here for a long time, fitness should be something you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level on a regular basis. If possible, climb the stairs. When shopping, park away from the mall door. Take a walk in the park or your favorite neighborhood and bring a dog or friend with you. Take dance or martial arts lessons.

If you are generally very active, you go for regular exercise more easily and naturally. What do you need to do to get regular, significant health benefits? Raise your heart rate to the level of fat burning and keep it for at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week or more. However, if you don't want to go to the gym, there are other ways. Videos and DVDs are now available for all types of exercise. That way you can change your routine at any time so that you don't get bored with what you are doing. Do aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or any activity you like from your home.

If you have physical limitations that prevent you from exercising, you may find a way to increase your activity level. Water aerobics is a great option for people with joint problems or limited mobility because it eliminates the stress on your body caused by your weight. But you're still struggling to challenge your muscles out of the water. There are even classes and videos to help you exercise while seated.

No matter what type of exercise you choose, it's important to get excited and have fun. Try gathering a group to turn it into a social event. Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you can walk, and see how many miles you can walk in a week. Create a contest with your friends or family and treat the winner to something special (not food-related!). Make the workout experience something you look forward to and it will soon become a regular part of your healthy lifestyle.