Maintaining a healthy weight is important at every stage of life. Carrying excessive weight can lead to significant health problems, especially as you age. If you’re carrying around a little extra weight, the good news is that there are some great exercises that can help you get rid of it.
Walking
If you have a hard time with regular exercise, walking is one of the best ways to get started. The barrier to entry is incredibly low–you don’t need any special equipment, is fairly low-impact, and incredibly convenient to do. You can burn between 60-257 calories by walking a mile, depending on how much you weigh and how fast you’re walking. Incorporate more walking into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away, and taking walk breaks periodically throughout the day.
Swimming
Those who need a way to exercise to lose weight that is easy on the joints can benefit from going swimming. The water creates a buoyant force that relieves the pressure created by gravity while also providing a gentle resistance for you to work against. Resistance helps you build your muscles, which aids in weight loss, as well as improving your cardiovascular endurance.
To get the most benefits from swimming, make sure you know how to do it effectively. Swimming effectively requires a degree of ankle flexibility. It also requires some breath control and knowledge of how to kick and stroke properly. Don’t let that discourage you though. You can always start by taking swimming lessons to learn how to swim better, no matter how young or old you are.
Weight Training
Have you ever heard people talking about jump starting their metabolism? Metabolism refers to how quickly your body burns calories. The faster and more efficiently it burns calories, the easier it is to lose weight. If you want to give your metabolism a boost, start weight training. Weight training is a great way to build muscle, which can increase your resting metabolic rate. Just keep in mind that it’s possible to gain weight through weight training because muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue. The good news is that your overall body composition is more likely to be healthier because you’ve traded some of that fat for muscle.
Being smart about how you exercise is an important part of losing weight effectively. For best results, pair your exercise with a nutritious diet that has a good balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbs. Choose whole grains, lean meats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. Exercising, eating well, and choosing water to drink over fruit juices, sodas, and other sugary beverages will help you lose weight effectively and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.
Did you enjoy this article? Here’s more to read: How to Accelerate Your Weight-Loss Goals
