Diet is not the only option for losing weight and in fact diet is much more effective when combined with exercise for losing weight and also for keeping that weight off. It is important to watch calorie intake and exercise to burn off any excess calories. For the best weight loss results you should aim for around one pound a week weight loss.
But what are the best exercises for weight loss? There is the option of joining a gym with the hope of losing weight and becoming fitter but many people will soon lose motivation at the gym particularly if they are going alone.
When you are exercising to lose weight it is important to stay motivated so you don't want to do exercises that you don't like or you will love motivation very quickly. If you aren't comfortable going to the gym then don't go to the gym because you just won't enjoy your exercise and you won't stay motivated. If you like jogging then go for a jog in the park each day. If you like martial arts then join a martial arts class. You will improve your chance of sticking to your exercise routine if you are enjoying it.
When you are considering what type of exercise to do you should be aware that there are two main types of exercise and you will get the best results if you can combine both types.
Firstly there is aerobic exercise which is high cardio because it increases the heart rate and oxygen intake levels. Due to this increase the body burns more calories to try and compensate for the demands of increased energy. Aerobic exercises include basketball, jogging, walking, cycling, swimming and football. Cardio exercises are good for burning calories but are even more effective when combined with strength exercises.
Strength or resistance training works differently than aerobic exercises. Strength training doesn't increase the heart rate, instead it builds muscle mass through short bursts of energy. Strength training includes weight lifting, sit ups, push ups, squats and exercising with resistance bands.
The best type of weight loss exercise program combines both aerobic and strength exercises. A combination exercise routine could include 10 seconds on a cross trainer followed by 30 seconds of push ups and repeat this cycle for around 30 minutes total. Basically it is a short burst of aerobic exercise followed by a slightly longer burst of strength training.
There are a number of different choices available when it comes to combination exercise routines. You need to consider your current fitness level before choosing which exercises to begin with.
For some people a combination exercise routine might not be advisable so they may prefer a 30 minute walk each day instead. Starting out slowly with a walk each day and working up to a higher intensity as you become fitter is the best way to go. As your fitness improves then you can try some aerobic and strength exercises.
When you combine strength and aerobic exercises you will burn more calories than just using aerobic exercises on their own. The type of exercise will depend on what suits you and your lifestyle but remember that by choosing a combination exercise routine you will be well on your way to reaching your goal weight.
