You can lose significant weight by working out on a treadmill. Many people use treadmills as a major part of their weight-loss routines, especially if they cannot run or walk outside because of weather or safety issues. However, in order to make your treadmill weight-loss efforts a success, you'll need to ensure that you're exercising long enough and often enough. In addition, if you want to lose weight more quickly, you might also need to make some changes to your diet.
Weight Loss Basics
In order to lose 1 lb. of fat, you'll need to burn approximately 3,500 calories more than you normally burn, according to a web page on the Columbia University website. Walking or running on a treadmill obviously burns some calories, but the number of calories it burns will depend upon your speed, the incline of the treadmill, and your overall weight.
Calories Burned
Lighter people burn fewer calories while working out on a treadmill than heavier people, according to a web page on the Harvard Medical School website. For example, a 125 lb. woman will burn 135 calories per half-hour walking at 4 mph on a flat treadmill, while a 185 lb. man can burn 355 calories in a half-hour jogging on a flat treadmill at 5 mph.
Weight Loss Potential
If you weigh 125 lb., you'll need to walk at 4 mph for more than 13 hours on the treadmill to lose 1 lb., according to Harvard Medical School. If you weigh 185 lb. and you run at 5 mph, you can lose 1 lb. in just five hours of working out on the treadmill. Setting the treadmill so it's partly inclined will increase your calorie burn and decrease the amount of time it takes you to lose weight.
Considerations
If you work out harder and more frequently on the treadmill, you'll lose weight faster. However, you should start slowly, regardless of your ultimate goals, since you risk injury if you jump into an intense fitness routine too abruptly. Ensure that you see your doctor for a complete checkup before starting your treadmill exercise routine. In addition, you might want to consider cutting some calories from your diet, or at least changing your diet to incorporate more healthful fruits, vegetables and whole grains, in an effort to help your weight-loss goals.
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