Are you trying to lose weight and wondering what the ten best weight loss workouts are? Are you interested in learning more about healthy living and the types of exercises that can help you to lead a healthy life? If so, consider the following as some of the best exercise possible for you.
The ten best workouts for weight loss might not be what you expect. The first one is walking! Walking is followed by running, cycling, swimming, weight training with weights or your own body weight, intervals or HITT (high-intensity interval training) training, indoor or outdoor rock climbing, jumping rope, pilates, and yoga.
These are all great options for weight loss, many of which can be done from the comfort of your own home. They are even more effective when combined with healthy living and a good diet. To find out more about these exercise options and how they can help you to start to lose weight, read on.
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Is Weight Loss From Only Working Out or is Nutrition Important Too?
Some people think that working out is all you need to do to lose weight. While it is certainly a good step, it cannot usually stand alone as the only weight loss method. Generally, you need to make sure that your nutrition is at a good level as well. By combining healthy exercise with a healthy diet, you will see much faster and more permanent, and consistent results in your weight loss journey.
There are many different diets you can try to help you lose weight. In fact, dieting is often considered the most common weight loss strategy, with exercise and working out coming second. If you do the two in tandem, however, make sure that you are consuming enough calories to make up for those lost through exercise.
There are a variety of diets that are popular to try on your weight loss journey.
Some of these include:
- Weight Watchers
- Low-fat diets
- Fasting
- Juice cleanses
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is a dieting plan and weight loss program which is specially designed to allow individuals to reach a certain goal or target weight. It is used by thousands of people because it is designed individually and is easy to follow as it shows you exactly what to do to reach your goal weight.
Now called WW, this diet works on a point-based system, where chosen foods and beverages come with certain point allowances. In order to reach your target weight, you must simply follow the point system so that you only consume a certain number of points per day. This is often a good system for people as it can become competitive, which is motivating.
Low Fat Diet
A relatively easy way to lose weight is simply to cut certain fats out of your diet. This can be any kind of fat, from sweets and pastries to bread to dairy, and depending on how much you cut out and for how long, this type of diet can help you to lose weight quickly and consistently.
A commonly used rule is to cut out around 30% of the usual amount of fat you would consume per day, and that will make up your low-fat diet.
Fasting
As the name suggests, fasting diets involve periods where you eat either much less than usual or abstain from eating at all. These diets can help you to lose weight only if you do not consume large amounts of food during non-fasting periods.
The diet is meant to decrease the number of calories you take daily or weekly by eliminating certain periods of time when you eat. Therefore, you will consume less and gradually lose weight.
Juice Cleanse
This is a diet in which you drink only juice, often lemon juice mixed with water, in order to lose weight. It can be dangerous as sometimes you do not get enough calories to sustain yourself, so if you choose to use this diet, be sure to research properly beforehand.
Dieting and Working Out
When you work out, you burn calories, and some of these need to be made back up in order to sustain your body’s functionality. A big part of weight loss through exercise involves looking at your nutrition to make sure that you are eating both enough food and the right kind of food in order to maintain your health.
Eating a combination of healthy and balanced foods such as vegetables and fruits, starches, carbs, meat, and nuts will help you to keep on top of your weight loss goals. Further, staying hydrated is very important to weight loss as, when you are hydrated, your metabolism is properly functional.
Is Working Out 30 Minutes a Day Enough to Lose Weight?
The short answer is yes! Exercising moderately for thirty minutes each day can be enough for you to lose weight if you make sure that your diet is also a healthy and balanced one.
As a general rule, moderate exercise means exercise forceful enough for you to break a sweat. If that occurs, then thirty minutes of exercise, if consistent, is generally enough for one to lose weight over time.
The 10 Best Workouts for Weight Loss
There are a variety of ways to work out, with methods that can suit all types of people. Here is a list of the top ten best workouts for weight loss, with options for those who are motivated by being surrounded by other like-minded people with similar goals to those who would prefer to work out alone.
Walking
Number one is walking. Walking is a great workout for weight loss because it is free, easy, and low impact. Most people can add a thirty-minute walk into their daily routine easily, whether through joining a local walking club, walking to work, buying a treadmill to use while at work, or even walking around the block or neighborhood in the mornings, evenings, or during a lunch break.
Walking can help you to give your mind a rest as well and is often considered a great activity not only for exercise and getting your body moving but also to engage your mind in passive thinking. Let your mind wander as you walk, and you will return to work happier and more at ease.
Running or Jogging
For a higher impact but similar activity, try running or jogging. Like walking, this can be done either solo or in a running group and can be done almost anywhere. You can go to your local gym and run on a treadmill, take a run through your local park, or jog to work.
This is sometimes harder on the knees and joints, as it is a higher impact, so for those who are new to exercise, it can be a good idea to transition from walking to running using intervals of walking in between jogging steps.
Cycling
Cycling is another great and versatile form of exercise. Like running and walking, this can be done either outside in the mountains or streets or in a gym on a stationary bike. Spin class is a great way to get into stationary biking in a structured way and to make like-minded friends. Many cities also have cycling clubs, meaning there is a lot of opportunities to find workout buddies.
Cycling is also another low-impact sport and is, therefore, a good option for those who do not want to overstress weak or sensitive joints. For competitive people, there are many bike races and similar options, and even teams one can join.
Overall, cycling is great not only for weight loss but for general health as well, making it an excellent option for those who wish to live a healthier lifestyle.
Swimming
Swimming, like biking, is a low-impact sport that can be done solo, in groups, or even as a part of a competitive team.
Swimming is a great option because it is a full-body workout and will not only help you to lose weight but also get all of your muscles toned. You use your arms, legs, core, and back muscles, making this activity an excellent low-impact full-body workout.
Weight Training
Weight training is a good option as it can be done either in the gym or at home. For those who do not want to buy weights or equipment, there are many workouts you can do using your own body weight, including pushups, pull-ups, leg lifts, and more.
For those who wish to use equipment, try going to your local gym to try out the weight machines or handheld weights. It is often a good idea to ask an instructor for help the first few times you go so that you can ensure you are using the weights properly as if they are used improperly; you risk injuring yourself.
Weight training is a great workout for those who wish to lose weight, as consistent weight training can improve your resting metabolism, meaning you will burn through more calories when you are resting as well as working out.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing can be done either outside or in a gym and is a great workout as it uses a variety of different skills:
- Strength
- Power
- Endurance
- Flexibility
- Creativity
This is also a good exercise for those with knee problems, as it has a low impact on the joints. It is a great workout because one is always improving, there is a lot to learn, and you can engage not only your body but also your mind. Like running, cycling, and swimming, there are clubs and competitive options for those who are motivated by competition, making this a fun and versatile workout to lose weight.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope may seem like a schoolyard activity, but it is a great way to stay in shape. Similar to running, it gets your whole body moving and can be changed to any level depending on your overall fitness. Jump rope also helps to improve heart health, as it can be a very intense and high-calorie burning workout.
Interval/HIIT Training
High-Intensity Interval Training is, as the name suggests, a series of intensive exercises done most often in a class at the gym or outside. You can even follow along on an online class if you would prefer.
This is a great form of weight loss because the high-intensity level means that you burn a high number of calories per minute, which results in faster and higher weight loss. These workouts can be intense, though, so those with previous injuries or sensitive joints should begin slowly to avoid injury.
Pilates
Pilates classes are generally held at the gym and are a great way to get your whole body moving. Your instructor will assess your level to help you find the class best suited to you, and you should attend classes regularly to see the best results.
Pilates is a fun and creative way to work out with others, making it a great option for those who are more sociable and looking to lose weight through exercise.
Yoga
Your weight loss journey is not just about body movement; the state of your mental health can affect your weight as well. Yoga can be a meditative and stress-relieving form of exercise and can therefore be beneficial not only for your body itself but also for your mind.
A Great Online Group Class for Weight Loss!
There are a variety of online courses and classes one can follow in order to lose weight, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when many gyms remain closed. Some of the best ones are those which combine weight loss methods with nutritional education, as maintaining a nutritious diet is important in your weight loss journey.
One such class is the 30-day course called “Weight Loss and Nutrition: Lose Weight and Get Your Dream Body.” This course helps users to understand the science behind healthy diets and weight loss in relation to food as well as how best to tone and train your body so that the loss can be maintained.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many exercises out there for those looking to lose weight. These can be done alone or in groups, making it easy for those of all different backgrounds, mindsets, and goals to find a way to work towards their target weight loss.
It is very important to remember that nutrition and weight loss go hand in hand, so maintaining a balanced and healthy diet alongside your exercise is one of the best ways to ensure that your weight loss goals are met in a healthy way.
