There’s lots of different exercise for weight loss programs out there, but not many really explain why it’s so important, or how to incorporate weight loss exercises into your daily routine.
Time is cited as the number-one reason we don’t take regular exercise. In my experience, I believe this originates from the mindset that exercise for weight loss is about taking great big blocks out of your day to exercise vigorously. Yes, you can exercise in this way -and make a significant difference to your total calorie burn – but it’s not the only way to exercise.
Getting more physical activity into your day through active travel is a real bonus to your health and, to my mind, can be the foundation of your fast weight loss efforts. It’s essential that we change the way we think about weight loss exercise so we start incorporating more movement into our day. A lack of physical activity can lead to health problems including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancers and osteoporosis. People who incorporate physical activity into their daily lives are at lower risk from these diseases.
Active travel is an ideal exercise for weight loss, as it involves moving your body to get from one place to another, particularly by walking and cycling. The way we travel has a big impact on our health. If you incorporate active travel into your day when life gets busy and you are unable to do your structured weight loss exercises, your activity levels will already be moderately high.
Incorporating more walking and cycling to get to work and in our leisure activities also has a direct impact on our environment, reducing pollution, traffic congestion and road accidents. The concept of active travel is supported by the Heart Foundation and Department of Health.
One of the easiest ways to boost physical activity is to include walking and cycling in your daily routine, such as during the journey to work or school. These activities are some of the best exercise for weight loss and can be undertaken at minimal cost to you compared to other forms of exercise and can actually save you money. Of course, one of the biggest advantages is an environment conducive to being more physically active.
Sustrans is an organization working to change the environment, making it easier for people to lead healthy lifestyles now with subtle introductions to the best exercise for weight loss, which will lead to lower health service costs in the future. Through the building of the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools and many other projects, Sustrans has been promoting walking and cycling, and consequently public health, for over 20 years.
The National Cycle Network is a massive series of signed cycling and walking routes linking communities to schools, stations and city centers, as well as to beautiful countryside. It extends to many thousands of miles of routes throughout the nation, with further ambitious growth planned. So find out about all the possibilities near you for you and your family to get more active.
How To Incorporate The Best Exercise For Weight Loss Into Your Day
- Start using any weight loss exercise or method you can to incorporate active travel into your day.
- Get out your old bike, or buy a new one-invest in a good lock so it doesn’t get stolen.
- If you do start cycling to work, switching to puncture-proof tires can be a good investment and save a considerable amount of hassle.
- Start off using your bike in summer when the weather is better.
- Try to not use your car for a week and rely on public transport and your own means of active travel instead.
Some Bad or Not So Healthy Habits To Break
- Using the car for all short journeys.
- Standing still and throwing a ball for your dog when taking the dog for a walk – make sure you are walking too – it’s a simple exercise for weight loss that you won’t even realize you’re doing.