People have lots of excuses not to exercise. It's boring, it's uncomfortable, there's not enough time in the day. But for long-lasting weight loss, exercise is a must. If you want to overcome your barriers to exercise, you have to find activities that are fun and burn calories. Basically, you have to find something cool. And, if you don't like the hot, sticky, sweaty feeling that usually accompanies exercise, find a cool activity that keeps you cool, too.
Sledding
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy sledding. Whether you own a sled or you slide down the hill on the lid of a trashcan, every time you slide down, you have to turn around and climb back up the hill before you take your next ride, and that takes a lot of effort. According to Discovery Health's activity burn rate calculator, a 150 lb. individual who sleds for an hour will burn almost 500 calories. Sledding three times a week during the dreary days of winter will make snowy days more fun while also contributing to a 5 lb. weight loss.
Extend your sledding into the fall by finding a leaf or pine needle covered hill. Use a cardboard box to cut down on friction and sled to your hearts content. Fall and Winter are notorious months for weight gain, so this extra time can really pay off in helping you reach your weight loss goals.
Water Skiing
For an activity to round out your Spring and Summer months, try water skiing. Discovery Health's calorie calculator found that a 150 lb. individual burns roughly 411 calories an hour skiing, and most people spend more than just an hour out on the water. Spending three hours water skiing once a week for three months can help you lose 4 lbs. Just don't counteract your efforts by overindulging in food or alcohol on the boat.
Canoeing And Swimming
Spend an afternoon paddling a canoe around the lake, occasionally jumping in to cool off, and you can burn 442 calories in an hour and a half. This summer time play can lead to a 2 lb. weight loss if done just once a week for four months. The best part is, it doesn't even feel like exercise, and that's the best way to lose weight.
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