Exercise for Weight Loss
How much do you need to exercise to lose weight? In one study, researchers asked people to walk
and count an extra 2000 steps each day (Journal of Human
Nutrition & Dietetics, August 2006). This is really a minimal
amount of exercise. They also kept complete food diaries. They
lost weight and did not increase their food intake. When you
start an exercise program, your appetite may increase, but this
will not increase your caloric intake to equal the extra calories
that you burn. For example, if you burn 600 calories with added
exercise, you may take in 200 calories extra and you will lose
weight.
Exercise helps you lose weight by raising your
metabolism so you burn more calories for several hours after you
finish exercising. However, only vigorous exercise that increases
body temperature and makes you sweat will increase your
metabolism enough to continue burning more calories after you
finish. Overweight is a major cause of premature death and
increases risk for heart attacks, strokes, cancers and arthritis. If
you are out of shape and want to lose weight, get a stress
cardiogram and ask your doctor to clear you for an exercise
program. Start slowly and then gradually increase the intensity
of your exercise over several months. My weight loss recommendations
Checked 4/19/10