One of the most important factors when attempting to lose weight is exercise. Eating gives the body energy, and exercise uses it up in a mathematical relationship. If a person burns 200 calories running, he or she could eat 200 extra calories and remain at their current weight. Or they could eat their usual amount of food, or even less, and consequently lose weight. The amount of calories burned during exercise depends on the type of exercise, as well as the duration and the intensity at which a person is working out.
Exercise does more than speed up weight loss. Exercising builds muscle, which has favorable long-term effects. A pound of muscle burns around 30 calories a day, as opposed to the 2 calories a pound of fat burns. So building muscle through exercise can lead to lasting weight loss, and a higher daily calorie allowance.
“Exercise” is a very broad term, and could be split into two categories: cardiovascular exercise and weight training. The first refers to what could also be called sports: running, biking, walking, swimming, etc. These burn calories, can build muscle and are very healthy for important body mechanisms, most notably the heart. Weight training usually refers to working out with weight in a gym setting, and its primary objective is to build muscle.
Overall, exercise is crucial to achieve lasting weight loss. Its other benefits are endless. Just a few examples are reduced risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, healthy bones, muscles and tendons, increased physical endurance and eventually more mobility in old age, and even psychological factors like reduced depression and anxiety.
