When you first decide to follow a weight loss plan, you face a number of decisions. You know that you need to change the way you eat, and you know that you should choose some form of exercise. We can help with the first part. As for the exercise, follow these three tips to help you decide upon a form of activity that supports your goals.
Remember that weight loss and fat loss are two different things. You want to lose weight overall, but more specifically you’re probably hoping to lose fat. So as you consider your exercise options, remember that aside from a different number on the scale you’re also looking for a change in your body composition.
Adding muscle to your frame might seem counterintuitive; after all, adding muscle does mean adding a few pounds of weight. But because more muscle means a higher metabolism, a strength training regimen can be a valuable addition to your workout routine.
Consistency is everything. The best exercise routine is one that you stick with over time, period! Twenty minutes of daily activity for a year will do a lot more for your body than one week of two-hour “boot camp” followed by exhaustion, burnout, and quitting. So focus on activities that are fun, and that you know you will stick with for the long term.
The bottom line is calorie deficit. Exercise is good for your health, no matter how much you weigh. But with regard to a weight loss plan, we exercise to create a calorie deficit. This means we’re burning more calories through activity than we’re consuming through food. So as you put together your weight loss plan, choose some activities that are great calorie burners (like aerobic exercise).
On that note, give us a call to discuss a weight loss plan that really works in the long term. We can help you design an eating strategy and choose activities that support your goals.
