Activity boosts weight loss

Activity boosts weight loss Losing weight can improve your health in many ways. But what most people don’t realize is that you don’t have to lose that much to derive immediate health benefits. In fact, just losing 10% of your body weight, for example, can give you more energy and help you sleep better. It can also reduce your risks for heart disease and stroke by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol. The best way to go about losing weight is to do eat fewer unhealthy foods, watch portion sizes, and do more physical activity. For example, if you walk briskly for 30 minutes, you can burn about 150 calories. And if you skip your daily apple fritter, you can cut out 350 calories. Total calories saved in one day: a whopping 500! If one pound is equal to 3,500 calories, you could potentially lose a pound in one week. See how it works? Physical activity can help you control your weight by using excess calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. Balancing the calories you eat with the calories you use through physical activity will help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity includes walking, running, basketball, or other sports as well as yard work or walking the dog. If you have been inactive for a while, start slowly and work up to 30 minutes a day at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you are unable to be active for 30 minutes at a time, accumulate activity over the course of the day in 10- to 15-minute bursts. Strength training will also help you burn extra calories and build strong muscles, bones, and joints. Experts recommend strength training two to three days each week, with one full day of rest between activities to allow your muscles to recover. If you are new to strength training, or physical activity in general, consider hiring a certified personal trainer who can plan an individualized program to help you work out safely and effectively. Now that you are ready to get your body moving, consider what you’re eating. Make small changes and make smarter food choices. Be careful not to increase the amount of calories you eat in a day. If you are new to physical activity, fight the urge to eat more food after being active. Think ahead. Prepare a small snack for after your activity session. Great snack choices include: apples, banana, yogurt, almonds or whole-grain crackers with peanut butter. Click on the link below for more from the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada. http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=pvI3IeNWJwE&b=4841145&ct=7306567&src=home