Healthy Living Magazine

Though weight gain is something most people deal with at some point, obesity is an extreme example of uncontrolled weight gain can become. The Center for disease control estimates that over one third of the US adult population is considered obese. Defining obese as a person with over 30% body fat. This degree of obesity can cause life-threatening complications such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancers and even death. Fortunately, most cases of obesity are completely preventable. Living a healthy lifestyle with the right diet and exercise routine ensures weight loss and prevents future weight gain and even diseases.

A regular fitness routine, in addition to a healthy diet is a crucial part of weight loss. Exercising regularly and eating healthy is the most beneficial way to lose pounds and keep them off. Exercise also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Exercising regularly increases the body’s muscle mass and stamina. Increasing muscle mass is a great way to fight off extra pounds lose weight. The average person should be including at least 150 minutes of physical activity into his or her week to maintain a stable weight and balance caloric intake.

Staying in shape doesn’t require elaborate workout routines; running, walking and swimming are simple, great exercise methods that quickly mold fat pounds into muscle. For those desiring a more individualized experience, Personal trainers help by providing motivation and assistance to key areas that need work. They assist with diet and personalized exercise routines that are specific for the individual’s needs.

Workout videos such as Zumba fitness and the Jullian Michaels videos provide fast and fun core workouts for those wishing to exercise in the comfort of his or her own home. Even certain entertainment systems, such as Nintendo Wii and Xbox have paired with Nike and EA sports to provide interactive workout games that are extremely effective and provide a great workout alternative for those who are unable to exercise outside or in a gym.

Even when there is not time for an entire workout, there are always ways to fit fitness into an everyday schedule. Parking further from destinations adds further walking distance and gets in added walking time. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible is a great way to burn calories and include exercise into everyday life. Taking walks around during lunch breaks burns calories at a time when most people are simply sitting and taking in more calories.

People exercise for many reasons but one of the main reasons is to lose weight. There are so many ways to exercise its hard to know what’s right for you. Any form of exercise is good however the best exercises to lose weight are the most effective exercises. To see weight loss results you need to include both cardio and strength training exercise to burn calories, burn fat, and build muscles. These exercises can be done at home or in the gym. The best workouts include these exercise that work all the major muscle groups in the body to effectively lose weight.

Walking – Walking is a great cardiovascular exercise. What’s good about it? It can be done anywhere with no equipment necessary, plus everyone knows how to walk since we do it daily to move around. Include at least 30 minutes of walking in your daily exercise routine. To make it harder increase your time, speed and incline.

Interval Training – Interval training helps to rev up your workout by increasing the intensity for a set interval. By increasing the intensity of your workout your body burns more calories from fat helping to lose weight. For example, if you start walking, add in 1-2 minute intervals of jogging or running throughout your entire routine. Your overall fitness will improve, helping you to see faster weight loss results.

Squats & Lunges – Both squats and lunges work all major muscle groups in the lower body at the same time. This is a plus because you don’t have to do separate exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteals. Its important to maintain good form while doing both squats and lunges to get the maximum results and to avoid the risk of injury. While doing squats keep your back straight with feet shoulder width apart. Bend at the knees while lowering your rear and keeping your knees over your ankles. With lunges keep your spine straight and your weight on your back foot. Maintain balance while lowering your back knee towards the floor without actually touching the floor.

Abdominal Crunches – Abdominal crunches help to strengthen the core muscles. It’s important to contract your abdominal muscles while pressing your back into the floor, and raising your neck, shoulders, and upper back off the floor. To help avoid arching your back raise your feet off the floor, which engages your hip flexors.

Pushups – Push-ups are a great strengthening exercise for the entire upper body. Pushups strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps and core muscles. Remember to keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders all the way down to your feet. Keep your abdominals and glutes engaged as you lower your body down and bring it backup. For beginners, you can start with your knees on the floor. To make pushups more difficult put your feet on a stair or bench.

Bent Over Rows – Bent over rows work the opposite muscle group than pushups, the upper back and biceps. Keep your knees bent, flex forward at the hips engaging your abdominals and extend your spine. For beginners perform bent over rows without weights.