America's obesity concerns continue to grow because of the lack of exercise and an increase in people's consumption of high-calorie foods. According to the Weight-control Information Network, 33.8 percent of American adults are obese, as of February 2010. While situps and pushups help to build strength in your body, they are not the most effective way to lose weight.
Weight Loss
Weight loss occurs when you daily burn more calories than you consume. To lose 1 lb. of fat, you must burn 3500 calories. The quickest way to lose body fat is to engage in activities that burn high amounts of calories. For example, a 150-lb. person can burn more than 153 calories running 8 mph for 10 minutes, but he would burn just 51 calories performing situps and 57 calories performing pushups, according to the Health Status website.
Aerobic Exercise
Performing just situps and pushups will not result in a six-pack set of abs or a toned upper body. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests performing 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise to reduce your weight. Burning calories through more intense cardiovascular exercise, such as running or swimming, allows you the best opportunity for losing weight because of its high-calorie burn.
Maximizing Your Burn
Situps and pushups promote lean mass, which helps you burn more calories after you exercise and increases your metabolism. Increase your caloric burn by performing these activities in a circuit. Circuit training increases your metabolism burn, because it focuses on the completion of one exercise after another to keep your heart rate up while strength training. For example, complete 12 repetitions of pushups, squats, lunges, situps, biceps curls and overhead presses. Rest for two minutes after you complete one circuit and perform your circuit three more times.
Diet Considerations
Eat a healthy diet while trying to lose weight. Performing hundreds of situps and pushups cannot reverse a poor diet. Choose lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and nuts. Eliminate empty calories such as those from soda, fast food and processed foods. These foods provide your body with little to no nutritional value.
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