Making a decision to lose weight and get healthier is admirable, and exercise is a vital part of that plan. In this hectic world with all your other obligations, you may think you don't have time for exercise, but there are simple ways to work exercise into your day.
How Exercise Helps You Lose Weight
Aerobic exercise burns calories, but strength building exercise is even more important. Your body burns significantly more calories maintaining a pound of muscle than maintaining a pound of fat. Having a higher muscle-to-fat ratio increases your metabolism, so you're burning fat even when you aren't exercising.
Start With Ten Minutes a Day
If you are overweight and have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, you need to start very slowly. Ten minutes a day is a good starting point and easily achievable for even the busiest person. That may seem like too little, but you'll soon find that going from couch potato to athlete is more difficult than it sounds. If it's been several years since you've done any quality aerobic exercise, 10 minutes of strenuous movement will leave you huffing and puffing. If you need to go even slower, do five minutes at a time, or simply stop when you're tired and rest a bit, then finish your ten minutes.
Use Mobile Exercise Equipment
Resistance exercise bands are an effective way to build muscle, and they fit nicely into a small space. If you don't have a door to hook it to, there are still dozens of upper and lower body exercises you can do just using your feet and arms as anchors. Start with low resistance bands and work your way up as you gain strength. A quick 5 or 10 minute workout during your lunch break or between classes at school is easily achievable.
Get Off the Couch
If you've been living the couch potato lifestyle, then you probably aren't going to stop watching TV and movies. Instead of vegging out with chips and soda, try getting up off the couch and simply walking in place, doing some jumping jacks, or working with free weights and exercise bands. Don't want to get up? Try using a portable pedal bike to work out from the comfort of your recliner. There is a wide variety of exercises you can do without missing your favorite shows.
While exercise is one of the most important parts of any successful weight loss program, you should always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Start with 10 minutes and work up from there. Incorporate periods of exercise into other daily activities to ensure you don't use not having any time as an excuse. Remembering that muscle helps you burn more fat should encourage you to keep going.
For more information, contact Glory Wellness Center and Weight Loss Clinic or a similar location.
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