Five Weight Loss Exercises That Don’t Feel Like Exercises
Exercise is an essential part of weight loss. It’s a fact. You may be able to lose some weight without exercising, but if you expect to reach your goal weight in a safe and healthy way, exercise must enter into the picture somewhere. Besides helping you lose weight, exercise helps you maintain your health in so many other ways.
Exercise prevents muscle loss. If keeping your muscle doesn’t sound important to you, it should. Your muscle is what helps you burn calories while you are at rest. If you lose muscle, your body will not be able to process the calories you ingest as efficiently. Studies show that dieters tend to lose 25 percent muscle and 75 percent fat. You need to try not to lose any of the muscle. The best way to maintain your muscle is by doing strength exercises involving resistance, such as exercising with weights or exercise bands. Exercise also increases the calories burned by your muscle, which in turn causes you to lose weight.
In general, you should engage in exercises that raise your heart and breathing rate at least three times a week. Fortunately there are many ways to do that. Any activity will burn calories so don’t feel like you have to start a heavy workout tomorrow to get some benefit.
Do things you enjoy that also involve moving your body. You’re more likely to reach your goals if you enjoy yourself.
Swimming. Swimming can be a great weight loss exercise, because it is easy on the joints. Swimming in cool water also means your body burns calories in order to heat itself.
Walking. Walking is an excellent alternative to running or jogging. It’s easier on the body, and delivers about the same benefits for the same distance traveled. It’s also more enjoyable for many of us and can easily be done in large malls when the weather is bad outside. It’s also a great way to clear your head and de-stress.
Climbing. Climbing up and down stairs is a very aerobic exercise. It burns almost as many calories as jogging, without the stress on your joints. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk up the escalator instead of just standing there.
Cycling. Although stationary bicycles can be tough to stick with because of the boredom factor, if you only allow yourself to watch your favorite television show while pedaling, the time will go by faster and you may be more motivated to ride again.
Yard Work. Gardening actually burns more calories than people think and it can be quite enjoyable. Tend to a vegetable garden and you can grow all the healthy foods you require and exercise at the same time.
The absolute best way to stay motivated and stick with an exercise plan is to find something you like to do. If you try to make yourself do something you don’t like because you think it will have better results or because you think exercise is supposed to be a challenge, you will never see the results you want. The one factor in weight loss that you cannot ignore is exercise. If you want to lose the weight and keep it off forever, you must make exercise a permanent part of your lifestyle.
For information on our exciting and innovative diet system, The Cinch Inch Loss Plan, click here.