Losing weight can be difficult enough; keeping it off is another battle entirely. Aside from changing your approach to food and eating, the key to long-term weight loss success lies in boosting your metabolism. Metabolism, in layman’s terms, is the rate at which your body burns calories from food to produce energy. During your weight loss journey, you should learn to use exercise to change your metabolism so that your body uses its fuel more efficiently.

Two types of exercise

There are two types of exercise you should incorporate into your weight loss regimen. Aerobic exercise – activities like jogging, swimming, or an aerobic exercise class – get your heart pumping and use your energy stores. This type of exercise is good for your heart, and obviously it is good for burning calories. Try to incorporate 20-45 minutes of aerobic exercise into your routine, 3-5 days per week.

If you want to boost your metabolism for hours after your workout has ended, try interval training. This type of cardio exercise alternates moderate and vigorous activity for a greater calorie burn. After warming up for about five minutes, alternate two minutes of moderate activity with 30 seconds of vigorous effort. Continue this cycle for 20 minutes, and then cool down.

The other type of exercise is anaerobic exercise. Activities which build muscle, like weight lifting, help to boost your resting metabolic rate. This means even when you are not exercising, you’ll be burning calories at a higher rate to provide fuel for your muscles. Don’t forget to add weight training to your workout regimen, and your metabolism will work more efficiently around the clock.

Consult with a physician

The exact exercise routine you should pursue will be based upon your level of health and fitness. Be sure to consult with a physician before beginning a new workout regimen, to be sure it is safe and appropriate for you. Your doctor can make recommendations to help you maximize your weight loss efforts. Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment to discuss your weight loss goals.