Getting started on an exercise plan to drop excess pounds can seem like a complicated endeavor, especially if you’ve never successfully lost weight. Seeing results within the first week can be strong motivation to continue. It is possible to lose weight in a week with easy exercise, but consider a number of factors before you get started to maximize your efforts, minimize your risks and better ensure success.
Weight Loss
It’s generally recommended that most people get about 30 minutes of daily exercise to maintain good health. You’ll likely need to increase your workout time if your goal is to lose weight, especially if you don’t make any dietary changes. To drop 1 lb. of weight in a week, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume that week. This averages out to burning an additional 500 calories per day, every day of the week. You can safely lose up to 2 lbs. per week.
Physical Condition
Your current physical condition is an important factor in choosing the right type of exercise for you. If you’re very overweight or obese, or you’ve been sedentary for a considerable amount of time, high-impact, high-heart rate workouts may lead to injury rather than weight loss. If you’re at a relatively healthy weight and are somewhat active, you may be able to shed a few extra pounds with a more intense workout. Get your doctor’s approval before you start exercising, especially if you’re overweight, smoke or have a chronic condition.
Walking
For a number of reasons, walking is the easiest exercise for weight loss. You don’t need special equipment, walking lessons or a gym membership to do it. It’s a low-impact exercise, so if you’re very overweight, walking provides you with a cardio workout that’s easy on your joints. Wear a pair of supportive shoes and spend about five minutes walking at an easy pace to warm up. The time and effort you’ll be able to put into your walk depends on your fitness level. As you get fitter, you’ll be able to walk faster and farther, burning more calories in each session.
Other Options
Cycling and swimming are also good exercise choices for weight loss. At the right intensity, both can burn a significant number of calories. While many people know how to ride a bike, not everyone knows how to swim, however. In addition, you must have access to a bicycle or a pool to ride or swim, putting both workouts out of reach for some. If you have a bike and access to bike trails, cycling can be as good a choice for you as walking. Likewise, if you have a pool to use and you enjoy swimming, it may be your best choice.
Considerations
Walking at a moderately intense pace of about 4 mph provides a greater calorie burn than walking at a moderate pace. If you can’t walk at that pace, make it a goal you can work toward. Healthy weight loss is a steady process that doesn’t happen in a short period of time. While exercise alone will promote weight loss, reducing your caloric intake has been shown to be more effective at encouraging weight loss than just working out. For optimal results, control your calorie consumption and eat a healthy diet.
References
- “Optimum Performance Training for the Health and Fitness Professional”; National Academy of Sports Medicine; 2004
- MayoClinic.com: Walking — Trim Your Waistline, Improve Your Health
- MayoClinic.com: Exercise For Weight Loss — Calories Burned in 1 Hour
- MayoClinic.com: Walking — Is It Enough For Weight Loss?



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