Perhaps the most damaging and widely understood concept of exercise among the general public, researchers, and gyms today is the confusion about what proper exercise really is and what is needed in a weight loss program.
Along with modern technology that continues to make manual labor a thing of the past, the media and misinformed so-called exercise experts have been unduly lowering exercise standards for years. People are being tricked into thinking that all they need to do is find an activity they enjoy and that they should “have fun” doing it.
How could we humans have become so lazy, deluding ourselves that activities like walking or using pink dumbbells are all it takes to meet the definition of exercise? How do we think we could maintain a normal weight or avoid health risks with so little activity?
A proper exercise program will change the fat to muscle ratio (body composition) of the body over a period of time. Yes, and it will have some effect to make these changes. For many people, this ability to exert some effort is a skill they have never acquired and have never experienced physical labor of any kind. After all, how much effort does it take to watch TV, play video games, or move a computer mouse?
With two-thirds of the population overweight or obese, the World Health Organization says this is the world’s biggest unrecognized health problem. This ticking time bomb is associated with a host of life-threatening illnesses, and the health impact tends to occur many years later in a person’s life.
An exercise program that includes at least 60% strength training must be performed with sufficient intensity to stimulate the hormones necessary to achieve changes in body composition that are conducive to weight loss and reduced health risks.
No one expects a beginner to exercise at a high intensity level, but the idea is to start slowly and build up until a decent effort can be put in. This small effort is only for very short periods of time, usually just a few seconds, and is easily tolerated by all ages. This is the difference between getting no results and getting fantastic results.
These skills should preferably be learned under the guidance of an experienced fitness professional. It may cost a few bucks to get this guide, but look at it as an investment. What better way could you spend your money? Remember the cost if you don’t, not only in terms of money but also to your health.
The idea is to increase the size and fuel consumption of your metabolic engine and this is what will cause weight loss. By doing this, you’ll be burning more calories than you are now every minute of the day, even when you sleep, and this is what will chew through those stored stores of body fat.
If you choose to add recreational activities to your life, it all contributes to a more active lifestyle. But keep in mind that an active lifestyle can never replace the need for a properly structured exercise program. You will be very disappointed in the results if you expect weight loss and other health benefits with less.
The new methods of exercise by metabolic effect are an effective technique to combat obesity and ensure weight loss that will benefit millions of people in the future. Be one of the first to try it and reap the benefits for yourself.