Can Exercise Help You Lose Weight?

Exercise should, in theory, be able to help you lose weight, since the more active you are, the more calories you burn. However, it is easy to overestimate the number of calories you burn when you exercise, which may lead you to overeat. Instead of losing weight, you could find yourself gaining weight if you regularly decide to 'treat' yourself whenever you go for a half-hour run or take a trip to the gym. It might be tempting to believe that the extra weight comes from building muscle mass, since muscle is heavier than fat, but you generally know when it is actually the result of your poor diet.

It is important to exercise on a regular basis, regardless of whether you need to lose weight or not, but if your main intention is to lose weight you obviously have to take into consideration your diet. The only way to lose weight is by burning more calories than you consume, something which exercise can help you achieve. By exercising every day or every other day, you are able to consume a few more calories each day and still lose weight or lose weight at a faster rate. This only works if you are realistic about the number of calories you are burning during your exercise sessions, though.

If you go for a gentle walk two or three times a week, you will not burn as many calories as you could if you decided to go for a high-intensity run five or six times a week. You therefore need to recognise that not all forms of exercise are equal and that the intensity and length of your workouts will affect the number of calories you burn. Consequently, if you only partake in low-intensity exercise every few days you can't treat yourself to high-calorie treats every time you feel you deserve a reward for your effort, especially if you haven't really put that much effort in.

Although you should eat something after a workout, you should opt for a healthier snack or meal with the right balance of carbohydrates and protein to replenish your energy stores and help repair the muscles you have damaged whilst working out. Clearly, taking a stroll around the park doesn't really constitute a proper workout. It may help you to burn a few extra calories, but not enough for you to worry about muscle damage! Even if you engage in high-intensity exercise, pushing yourself so much that you're left out of breath, you still can't just eat whatever you feel like afterwards.

All in all, it is worth making time for exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight. By keeping active you will improve your heart's health and reduce the likelihood of developing serious health conditions, such as diabetes. Plus, after exercise you are left feeling more positive and better able to cope with stress, which is extremely important when you're trying to lose weight and struggling to find the motivation to continue. Exercise can also speed up your metabolism and help you burn more calories, but if you are serious about losing weight you cannot rely on exercise alone; you also have to make some changes to your diet.