Working Out & Losing Weight

Working Out & Losing Weight
Photo Credit Workout image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com

Part of healthy weight loss is using exercise to help reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular health. Exercise is a great way to lose weight, because it burns hundreds of calories each day, which contribute to calorie counting diets. Working out includes lifting weights and low-impact exercises, such as yoga and Pilates. Working out also improves muscle tone, so you have better muscle definition as body fat is lost.

Step 1

Perform your cardiovascular workout at least three times a week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise each day for the best weight loss and cardiovascular health.

Step 2

Incorporate weight lifting into your workouts at least twice a week. Free weights and machines improve muscle tone, so you can burn more calories even while you are not active. Muscle also tones the body as body fat is lost.

Step 3

Plan dieting habits that focus on vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, proteins and fruits. Eat several small meals a day to avoid overeating. Eating several small meals a day also boosts metabolism and provides your body with essential vitamins and nutrients for better health.

Step 4

Increase intensity of each cardiovascular exercise as your endurance improves. The intensity of the workout burns more calories, and better endurance helps you workout longer. Running a mile burns more calories than walking a mile.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Aug 24, 2010

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