Like many diet programs, Nutrisystem encourages its participants to exercise. In fact, this weight-loss system has a number of exercise DVDs available to complement specific diet programs. It also offers a online forums where you can get tips and suggestions on ways to incorporate exercise into your day-to-day routine. Consult your health care professional before beginning any diet or exercise program.
Exercise
While Nutrisystem offers fitness DVDs, you needn't restrict your exercise to just those routines. Any athletic pursuit you choose can be beneficial, so start walking, biking, swimming, jogging or taking part in competitive sports. The increase in physical activity will cause your body to expend more energy, which can help you burn additional calories and promote better weight-loss results.
Caloric Deficit
By burning additional calories, you help create the caloric deficit needed to shed excess pounds. It takes a deficit of about 3,500 calories to lose 1 lb. of fat. If you burn an additional 225 calories a day through exercise, that's a weight loss of almost 2 lbs. a month. If your Nutrisystem plan is already providing you with a weight loss of 10 lbs. a month, you're now looking at 12 lbs. Check with your doctor to make sure this rapid weigh loss is safe for you.
Diet
Although exercise is suggested, it's not necessary for losing weight. Nutrisystem already cuts your caloric intake to only a fraction of what your body uses each day. Women typically eat around 1,200 calories a day, while men consume roughly 1,500. So a female with a current caloric need of 2,000 calories generates a deficit of 800 calories each day on a Nutrisystem diet. Even without exercise, this translates into a weight loss just shy of 7 lbs. in a month.
Recommendation
The National Institutes of Health recommends that the average adult get at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each week. That's just five 30-minute sessions. If you're new to exercise, choose an activity that is low to moderate in intensity, like walking, biking or hiking. As your fitness level improves, increase the intensity of the exercise or incorporate activities that are more moderate to strenuous in nature.
Member Comments