Welcome to Start TODAY. Sign up for our Start TODAY newsletter to receive daily inspiration sent to your inbox — and join us on Instagram!
If weight loss is one of your health goals, exercise is key. Not only does it burn calories, but it also helps increase your metabolism, build muscle and improve overall fitness. Regular exercise can also increase your energy levels and enhance your mood. So, if you’re looking to shed some extra pounds, while also improving your overall physical and mental health, incorporating exercise into your routine is a smart strategy.
There is no shortage of workout options, so knowing which types are best for your goal can be tricky.
As a personal trainer and weight-loss coach, I encourage my clients to use a combination of cardio and strength training. Cardio exercise helps speed up the metabolism and jumpstart calorie burn. While building muscle helps to burn fat and increases your metabolism, helping you burn more calories at rest long after your workout is over.
Cardio exercises for weight loss
For starters, the simplest exercise that most people can perform is walking. Whether on a treadmill, around the house or up the street and back, walking is perfect for those new to exercise or those that have been working out for years. Walking is an accessible, low-impact exercise that strengthens your heart muscle, as well as the muscles in your legs, upper body and core.
Want to step it up a notch? Hiking, running or biking are also great options. Hiking is similar to walking, but by adding different obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, dirt and elevation, you are able to burn more calories than when walking on a flat surface. Running is a more challenging, intense workout that requires the body to work harder and faster, thus burning more calories and speeding up your metabolism even more. And biking or indoor cycling is a low-impact way to burn calories, improve circulation and improve mobility without having to carry the weight…
Read the full article here
