If you're wondering what the best exercise to lose weight might be, you have lots of company. If there was one simple answer to this question, the world would be a lot simpler place. Everyone could just do this miraculous exercise and reach their ideal weight! Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy. However, it's not as hard as some people make it out to be either.

The trick is to find the type of exercises that get results for you and that you don't mind doing -and then to do them consistently. That is simple enough, but the part of this equation that causes the most trouble is the "consistently" part. Anyone can start an exercise program, join a gym, buy an aerobics or Zumba DVD and try it a few times. What separates those who get long term results and those who remain frustrated is usually the ability to keep going with the program.

So let's look at some factors that can help you find the best exercises to do and also to find the motivation to stick with your workouts!

Should You Join a Gym?

This is one of the most basic questions to ask yourself. You can succeed with or without a gym or fitness center, but you should be honest with yourself about which alternative would suit you best. Answer the following questions:

*** Do I need a structured environment to stay motivated?

*** Do I prefer exercising around other people, or do I prefer privacy?

*** Is there a good gym or fitness center within a 15 minute walk or drive from me?

*** Do I prefer working out indoors or outdoors?

There's no "right" answer to these questions, but they are all quite relevant when it comes to the decision whether or not to join a gym. Don't underestimate the purely practical question of how far you are from a gym. Studies show that people who have long drives are less likely to work out regularly. Of course, one other possibility is if you commute to work and there's a gym near your job, but that's just a technicality. The point is, a gym is only a convenient place to work out if you're near one.

The indoor/outdoor question is also important. If you're an outdoors enthusiast, you might want to focus on exercises you can do in the open air, whether it's bike riding, jogging or hiking. Of course, you still might want to join a gym if you live in an area with harsh winters or that gets a lot of rainy days when you wouldn't want to be outdoors. You could, in this case, have all of your bases covered by joining a gym and still exercising outdoors when you can.

The Importance of Variety

Regardless of where you work out, it's important to vary your routine every so often. There are two essential reasons for this. First of all, your body gets accustomed to a certain type of exercise and therefore the benefits of doing it become less and less over time.

If you use a machine like a treadmill, it's possible to vary the speed, incline and difficulty. With weights, you have a wide variety of exercises that can be done. If you're working out at a fitness center, there's usually no problem when it comes to variety, as there's lots of equipment and usually a whole lineup of classes as well.

Even if you work out at home, there are possibilities for varying your routine. You can accumulate a collection of tools and workout gear that allow you to do many different exercises, and these don't have to be expensive. Here are some examples:

*** A Jump Rope -simple tool, great for intense cardio workouts

*** Hoop -as in Hula Hoop -it turns out that hooping wasn't just a 1960s fad but also a great workout!

*** Mini Trampoline or Rebounder -small, portable and extremely versatile

*** Resistance Bands -portable bands or cables for strength training

*** Exercise Balls -good for stretching and core strength building exercises

These are just some of the simple and fairly inexpensive exercise gadgets you can buy. That's not even counting all of the exercises you can do on a basic exercise mat, from yoga to sit-ups to calisthenics.

Take a Walk!

Walking is underrated as a form of exercise, probably because it's so simple and something we all take for granted. If you remember the old fable of the Tortoise vs. the Hare, walking is definitely for tortoises! That's because walking isn't going to make you fit, strong or thin overnight, but it has definite advantages for long term fitness.

Walking is probably the safest and easiest type of exercise you can do. This makes it suitable for everyone, even the elderly or people with long term health problems. You can even walk if you're pregnant. Naturally, if you fall into any of these categories, you should consult with your doctor first, but when it comes to walking you can start off as slowly and for as short a distance as is appropriate

Walking also overlaps with its more strenuous cousin, hiking. Hiking usually refers to walking in the woods or mountains, often with more challenging terrain. Not everyone lives in an area that's suitable for hiking, but even if you live in the city or suburbs there may be hilly areas, or even places with steps to give you an incline.

Some people find walking can get boring, but there are ways to make it more interesting.

*** Find a partner to walk with; you might even start a little group for walkers!

*** Vary the terrain and location of your walks, and even the time of day.

*** Listen to music or an audiobook when walking

*** If you like malls, walk around a large one -but no breaks for snacks or shopping until you're walk is finished!

Since walking doesn't burn up as many calories as running or other aerobic activities, it has to be done frequently and consistently if you're going to get the benefits from it. Remember, the Tortoise ends up winning that race against the Hare, but only because he's persistent!

Exercise, Diet and Lifestyle

If you're serious about losing weight, you have to make sure your diet and overall lifestyle support your exercise program. People who have difficulty with weight loss usually have trouble with either one or both of these elements -exercise and diet. You really can't make any long term progress unless you give them equal attention.

If you overeat or eat junk foods frequently, you're undermining the efforts you make when you work out. Of course, if you've convinced yourself that you can't control your diet, it's better to exercise than to eat poorly and be sedentary. But when you make an effort in both areas, that's when you'll start to see significant changes for the better.

One thing you may not realize about diet is that it has a huge impact on your energy level. That's why exercise and diet go hand in hand. When you eat poorly, you tend to feel tired and lazy. You may have short spurts of energy from eating sugar or junk food or from drinking caffeinated beverages, but then you crash quickly. This isn't a good recipe for an active lifestyle.

When you start eating better, on the other hand, you'll have more energy for working out. Of course, it works the other way as well. Exercise revs up your metabolism so you have more energy. You'll find that you don't have to depend as much on artificial highs such as you get from sugar when you exercise regularly.

Exercise Can be Fun

Almost everyone enjoys some type of exercise, even if you don't call it exercise. In fact, if you love to play a certain sport, go dancing or swimming, or anything else that burns up calories, you'll be more likely to look forward to your workouts than dread them.

Consider what sports you like watching on TV, what activities thrilled you as a child or teenager, or what you've always wanted to try. Remember, it doesn't matter if you're not an expert or even very competent at it. One thing that's different about today, as opposed to the past is that adults are allowed to try new things. You can take classes or lessons in almost anything at any age.

The idea is to find something that will make you feel enthusiastic. When you find something that fits the bill, you've found the best exercise to lose weight!

Exercise To Lose Weight
Exercise To Lose Weight

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