The answer to this question will vary based on where you are on your weight loss journey.
Some of our patients don’t do any physical activity when they begin, which is okay. We will meet you where you are. You don’t have to worry about hurting your back or your knees or any of that. We can focus on getting weight off initially, which often leads to folks wanting to move into exercise.
Walking is always an excellent choice. We are blessed with many trails and greenways here in North Carolina to walk on if you want a bit of nature. You can also head to your local downtowns or even walk your neighborhoods.
If the weather is a factor, there are affordable indoor options for walking. You can head over to the mall and walk there for free! They typically have a gym with treadmills if you are in an apartment. You can purchase a treadmill or walking pad for more upfront costs.
Low to moderate-intensity cardio, like walking, swimming, and biking, will have a more significant impact on overall weight loss and fat loss.
For weight loss, high-intensity exercise can be counterproductive.
Once you’ve lost weight, exercise helps prevent weight regain. In particular, resistance training is very effective for that. Strength training is essential for building and retaining muscle.
As you age, especially women, you’ll want to do more strength training for your health. It helps you avoid osteoporosis. It makes you more agile and mobile and improves balance and strength. There are a lot of benefits that you should consider.
Many people may not need any physical activity to lose weight. But there are plenty of health reasons to exercise, and it will be a component in helping you keep from regaining.
