When it comes down to physical activity getting started is the worst part. People are often reluctant because they are afraid of failure and disappointment. A lot of people expect to lose weight quickly and to keep it off; however, that is not usually the case. Weight loss is a slow and steady process that is why it is important to set realistic goals. For instance, you shouldn’t expect to lose 5 pounds in 5 days- that is nearly impossible. Set goals that you can attain. Knowing that one pound of fat equals 3,500 calories make yourself a realistic table of just how much you want to lose. For instance, if you want to lose 1 pound each week, you need to cut out 500 calories from your daily diet.
Once you have figured out how much you want to lose, you next question may be how much physical activity you really need. Well, these numbers can vary greatly depending upon your current weight. It is recommended that people who are overweight exercise longer than those who are naturally thin. For the average Joe, 30 minutes of physical activity everyday should do the trick. It will help you maintain a healthy weight, lower the risk of heart disease, lower the risk of osteoporosis and diabetes. But if you are exercising 30 minutes each day and still gaining pounds, you might need to increase your fitness regimen to 60 minutes. Simply start out with 30 minutes and see if that gives you the results that you wanted.
90 minutes of physical activity is usually recommended for those individuals who were significantly overweight and lost a substantial amount of weight. Ninety minutes is often essential to maintain that weight loss and stop the pounds from creeping back on. So as you can see, the amount of exercise each person needs varies depending upon several important factors. That is why it is often wise to consult with a fitness professional prior to beginning a workout regimen.