Work Out Effectively to Lose Weight
By Rachel Carver
Starting a new workout routine is a common part of a weight loss plan. However, there are so many strategies and tips on the internet to sift through. Add common misconceptions to the mix, and the idea of an exercise routine can become overwhelming.
Before you start any plan, remember it is important to customize an exercise routine that will work for you. You should also consider some key factors that will help you see results.
Don't Rely on Just Your Workouts to Lose Weight
Regular exercise can keep you physically and mentally healthy. However, starting a workout routine without incorporating other lifestyle changes will most likely not help you lose weight.
You need to burn more calories than you consume. Exercise strengthens your body and does help you burn calories, but this effort needs to be combined with other items such as a balanced diet and moving more during the day.
Don't Focus on Sweat
People often focus on how much they sweat instead of the workout itself. Sweat regulates the body's temperature. However, it does not determine how many calories you burn. The temperature of your workout space will not help you lose more weight.
Activities such as lifting weights or walking uphill are slower, but they keep metabolism in high gear and tone your muscles. Some strength training workouts will actually continue burning calories after completion, helping with your weight loss goal.
Don't Use Pain to Measure Success
Another exercise misconception is that effective workouts should make you sore. Pain usually happens when you are challenging your muscles in a new way. You will likely experience pain after increasing weight resistance or incorporating a new exercise into your routine.
But your muscles get used to your workouts, decreasing any soreness you feel. This means your muscles are getting stronger. The effectiveness of your workout continues even as your muscles become able to handle more work.
Avoid Working Off a Big Meal
It is common to indulge in a big meal and then want to cancel it out with a workout. However, the average one-hour workout burns between 300 and 500 calories.
Indulging in food can easily give you more than 500 calories. It gets tiring to constantly offset our food intake with intense exercise. It is better to enjoy your indulgences and move on.
Don't spend time dwelling on your last meal. Focus on making healthy choices for the rest of your day or week.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Jacksonville, Fla.