How to Maximize Exercise for Weight Loss

How to Maximize Exercise for Weight Loss
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Exercise is an important component of healthy weight loss. Physical activity helps you burn extra calories, improve your cardiovascular health and can help you build strength and endurance. While some activity is better than none, there are ways you can maximize exercise for weight loss.

Step 1

Add interval training to your workout sessions. When you switch back and forth between moderate and intense aerobic activity, you burn more calories. MayoClinic.com states by adding intervals to your current workout, you can improve your endurance and decrease your muscle soreness.

Step 2

Work with a personal trainer to improve form and technique. Understanding the proper way to perform each exercise will help you get the most out of your workouts. A trainer can help you customize your workout to meet your particular goals.

Step 3

Aim for moderate intensity when not interval training. MayoClinic.com reports this range is best to ensure you're burning calories but not working too hard. If you're breaking a sweat, have mild muscle strain and are breathing faster, you're exercising at the right pace.

Step 4

Schedule recovery days into your workout plan. To get the most from your resistance work or weight lifting, muscle groups need to rest a day between workouts. MayoClinic.com suggests alternating groups every other day to make sure your muscles can heal. Stronger muscles can mean a faster metabolism, which helps you burn more calories.

References

Article reviewed by SarahP Last updated on: Jun 10, 2011

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