The magic formula for weight loss and exercise is endlessly debated, but doctors say any bit of activity helps.
Being physically active is good for health full stop and, when it comes to weight loss, adults who sit less and move more will shift the weight faster.
Doing tiring chores like mowing your lawn can move the needle as one doctor encourages all sorts of exercise in and out of the gym, reports the Express.
US-based Dr Cedrina Calder explained: "Not only should you modify your diet, but you need to increase your amount of physical activity.
"If you're not doing anything, you want to slowly increase your physical activity for a period of time and aim for the recommended amount of 150 minutes of physical activity per week."
And she quashed the myth that a person must go to the gym in order to become more active and lose weight.
The doctor added: "People say that in order to do physical activity, you have to have a gym membership, and that's not true.
"You can do physical activity by doing household chores, mowing your lawn, watering, cleaning around the house, taking a walk.
"Any type of movement is physical activity. It doesn't have to be going to a gym and getting on a machine."
By doing more physical activity, it increases the number of calories the body uses for energy or burns off.
This, combined with reducing the number of calories a person eats, then creates a calorie deficit which results in weight loss.
To be in a calorie deficit, a person must consume fewer calories than they are burning over time.
So, if a slimmer burns 2,000 calories a day and only consumes 1,500 calories, they will be in a 500 calorie deficit.
Benefits of being physically active include:
- Weight control
- Combatting health a host of conditions and diseases
- Improving moods
- Boosting energy
- Promoting better sleep
- Strengthening bones and muscles
Dr Calder suggests trying out new activities if a person finds themselves getting bored of the usual.
These could include:
- Dancing
- Water aerobics
- Horse riding
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