Exercise's Effect on Weight
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Physical activity contributes to health by reducing the heart rate, decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, and reducing the amount of bone loss that is associated with age and osteoporosis. Physical activity also helps the body use calories more efficiently, thereby helping in weight loss and maintenance. It can also increase basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, and helps in the reduction of body fat.
Current guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise may be adequate to maintain cardiovascular health, but it may not be enough to prevent unhealthful weight gain. Recommendations published in 2003 and 2004 suggest that 45 to 60 minutes per day is necessary to prevent weight gain; children may need more activity.
Be forewarned, however, that the pounds will not melt off magically. Losing significant weight requires both exercise and calorie restriction.
The following are some suggestions and observations on exercise and weight loss:
The treadmill burns the most calories of standard aerobic machines. It may be particularly effective when used in short multiple bouts during the day. In fact, exercise sessions as short as 10 minutes in duration that are done frequently (about four times a day) may be the most successful program for obese people.
Current guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise may be adequate to maintain cardiovascular health, but it may not be enough to prevent unhealthful weight gain. Recommendations published in 2003 and 2004 suggest that 45 to 60 minutes per day is necessary to prevent weight gain; children may need more activity.
Be forewarned, however, that the pounds will not melt off magically. Losing significant weight requires both exercise and calorie restriction.
The following are some suggestions and observations on exercise and weight loss:
- The more strenuous the exercise, the longer the metabolism continues to burn calories before returning to its resting level. This state of elevated metabolism can last for as little as a few minutes after light exercise to as long as several hours after prolonged or heavy exercise.
- Resistance, or strength, training is excellent for replacing fat with muscles. It should be performed two or three times a week.
- Fidgeting may be very helpful in keeping pounds off. Regular exercise is certainly the best course, but for people who must sit for hours at work, frequently shifting positions while sitting may have some benefit.
- It is important to realize that as people slim down, their initial level of physical activity becomes easier and they burn fewer calories per mile of walking or jogging. The rate of weight loss slows down, sometimes discouragingly so, after an initial dramatic head start using diet and exercise combinations. People should be aware of this phenomenon and keep adding to their daily exercise regimen.
- As people age, they also need to exercise more to keep off the same amount of weight.
The treadmill burns the most calories of standard aerobic machines. It may be particularly effective when used in short multiple bouts during the day. In fact, exercise sessions as short as 10 minutes in duration that are done frequently (about four times a day) may be the most successful program for obese people.