Will You Lose Weight by Exercising 30 Minutes a Day?

Will You Lose Weight by Exercising 30 Minutes a Day?
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Depending on the intensity of your exercise, a 30-minute workout can significantly add to your weight loss. On the other hand, if you exercise at low or moderate levels, you'll burn fewer calories and have to make up for the lack of calorie burn by eating less. Any amount of exercise increases your chance for success, for a wide range of reasons ranging from increased metabolism to improved energy level and mood.

Burn Calories

Aerobic exercises typically burn more calories than strengthening and flexibility exercises because they increase your heart and breathing rates, requiring more blood and oxygen to pump through your body. To fuel the energy needs, your body burns off glycogen and then fat stores. Thirty minutes of intense aerobics burns calories. The amount of energy used depends on a number of factors, including your weight. For example, according to the Mayo Clinic, a 160-lb. person burns about 255 calories in a 30-minute high-impact aerobics class, while a 240-lb. person doing the same exercises burns closer to 381 calories.

Release Endorphins

Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body's feel-good chemicals. Endorphins provide you with energy to help you get off the couch and keep up with your daily 30-minute routines, because consistency is vital to a successful weight loss program. The Mayo Clinic says endorphins are nature's painkillers that can provide you with a sense of well-being. Fatty foods and sugar-laden desserts are not as attractive when you feel good and full of energy.

Benefits

There are a slew of other benefits from doing 30 minutes of exercise a day. By staying well and physically fit, you can stick to your workouts and maintain weight loss for the long run. According to the American Council on Exercise, walking for 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure, improve bone strength, boost endurance levels and stamina while helping you maintain a healthy weight.

Developing Habits

Obesity and its related health consequences typically are the result of years of unhealthy habits. By devoting 30 minutes a day to some type of physical activity on a regular basis, you eventually develop new habits that lead to healthy and sustained weight loss. A healthy lifestyle is holistic and includes eating a balanced diet, low in fat and sugar, getting seven to eight hours of sleep at night, reducing stress and exercising. Each component of your healthy lifestyle contributes to your successful weight loss and serves you well once you reach your target goal.

References

Article reviewed by Anton Alden Last updated on: May 26, 2011

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