The benefits of exercising to lose weight

Help me lose weight! If you are having trouble shedding those extra pounds despite all the diet plans you have tried, it is time to add exercise to your plan for weight loss. Exercise is excellent for losing weight and here's why.

Increase your metabolism

If you exercise regularly, you will burn more calories and be able to eat more healthy, nutritious food. This is because exercise boosts your metabolism, increasing the rate at which your body burns calories. Be sure to use a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training for the ultimate weight loss benefits. Aerobic activity, such as fast walking, jogging, biking and swimming, speeds up calorie burning in the short-term. Weight lifting helps with long-term increased metabolic efficiency because muscle burns more calories then fat, even while the body is at rest.

Regular physical activity is key to fat burning

Eating healthy diets, packed with nutrient-rich, fresh food and plenty of fibre will help with weight loss, but food is not going to dramatically burn fat. This is what exercise is for. According to Darlene Sedlock, PhD. of Purdue University, aerobic activity, also known as cardio, helps to burn fat. The more intense and the more frequently you work out, the more fat which is burned and the better weight loss results. This means when going for your half an hour walk, try walking briskly or building up to running for five to ten minutes of the workout. Whatever exercise you are doing, increasing the speed and intensity, if only for a brief period, will help.

More energy

Another benefit of exercise for weight loss is increased energy levels. Many people do not exercise because they simply do not have the energy between going to work and possibly taking care of the kids or other responsibilities. The good news is that working out is one of the best fatigue busters. It also helps to promote more restful sleep, which will help you feel more alert and energetic in the day. It is true for anyone that starting an exercise programme can be one of the biggest weight loss hurdles. Once you start however, even if you start small, it will get easier, weight loss will be more efficient and you will be more motivated to head out to your kickboxing class or to lace up for your morning jog. References WebMD (Webmd.com)
Science Daily (Sciencedaily.com)