Research has shown that what you eat is the defining factor to an effective healthy weight loss strategy. That being the case, why would you bother focusing on exercise? Especially if you don’t like it very much or you just don’t have the time.
Exercise Plays a Central Role in Healthy Weight Loss
The fact of the matter is that healthy weight loss and management don’t happen as a result of doing one single thing. To achieve and maintain a bodyweight within your recommended range, there are a few lifestyle habits to adopt.
In this way, you’ll be taking on habits that are achievable instead of extreme. They’ll be choices you can maintain and develop over time. Instead of making you feel deprived and restricted, they will simply be a natural part of your everyday activities.
A Gym Membership is Great but Unnecessary
Though thoughts of exercise for healthy weight loss might make you think that you have no choice but to get a gym membership, that’s not necessarily the case. Many people love signing up for a gym and thrive under the guidance of a personal trainer. For some people, the routine of heading to a gym and using the equipment can be exactly what is needed to stay active all year long.
For others, the gym simply isn’t a good fit. If that’s the case for you, that’s perfectly all right. There isn’t a single cookie cutter active lifestyle to fit everyone. The key to choosing exercise for healthy weight loss is to find the activities that work best for your lifestyle, needs and preferences.
Great Alternatives to Going to the Gym
- Brisk walks
- Jogging or running
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Playing a team sport
- Yoga
- Rock climbing
- Volunteering for a cause that will have you doing a lot of lifting, carrying and walking
Exercise for Long Term Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance
One of the truly great benefits of exercise when it comes to healthy weight loss and management is that it helps you to improve your body composition. It helps you to preserve or even add to your lean muscle. At the same time, when done regularly, it helps to improve your cardiovascular health and muscular strength.
A long-term randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who kept up a very active lifestyle were more likely to keep up healthy weight loss results than those who were less active or who didn’t exercise much.
Not only does regular exercise mean that your body will be in better shape to maintain your weight loss results, but it also means that it will feel easier to keep up an active lifestyle. After all, you’ll be stronger and fitter! Plus, with the mental health benefits of regular exercise, you’ll feel better too!