Losing weight is a challenge. Dietary changes, counting calories and finding time for exercise can be frustrating and overwhelming. One of the barriers to successful weight loss is the monotony, which is why weight loss should have some fun associated with it. There are ways to add some pizazz to your weight loss plan and motivate you to continue with your goals.
Find Activities You Love To Do
Exercise doesn't have to be boring or one set routine. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults under age 65 get 30 minutes of moderately intense cardiovascular exercise five days a week as well as perform eight to ten strength-training exercises two days a week. If you love to dance, turn it into a workout! Dance to your favorite song for three to four minutes three times a day and you will accumulate nine to 12 minutes of activity. For someone who weighs 150 pounds,12 minutes of dancing burns about 60 calories. Find one or two other activities you enjoy to add another 15 minutes of activity into the day.
Sports
Think back to when you were a child and loved to play sports. You may think you're too busy to take up a sport, but it does not have to be a formal sports commitment. For example, if you enjoy basketball, shoot hoops with your child for about 15 to 20 minutes a day. It's fun and will give you a fairly impressive workout, burning about 136 calories in 20 minutes for someone who weighs 150 pounds. The same goes for other sports such as tennis, baseball or soccer. Also, you can join a softball or soccer league. One hour of casual soccer can burn a lofty 476 calories for someone who weights 150 pounds.
Games and Aerobics
Playing games such as tag and relay races are fun, and kids love it too. This is a great opportunity to exercise and bond with your kids at the same time. For example, incorporate sit-ups or push-ups into a relay race two times a week. Dance and aerobic DVDs also provide a fun workout and have instructors to guide you, while giving you the flexibility to do it on your own time rather than going to a class. Also, video games such as Nintendo Wii Fit or Wii Sports offer several activities you can do in front of your television. Remember that 30 minutes of activity a day does not have to be done all at once--you can divide it into several segments. Before starting or changing an exercise routine, consult with your physician for guidance on what is most suitable for your personal health.
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