Drink lots of water before and during meals. The importance of exercise Regular exercise produces a wide range of physical and psychological benefits. First and most importantly, being physically active reduces the risk of many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. These preventative functions of exercise occur to a certain point even if weight is not lost. Exercise helps with weight loss by burning extra calories during and after the activity.
Exercise also helps maintain muscle mass that is usually lost with dieting alone.
This conservation of muscle is important in maintaining a normal metabolic rate and is crucial in long-term weight maintenance. Moderate intensity exercise has also been shown to affect brain chemicals resulting in a decreased appetite. Aerobic, or continuous rhythmical activity is best for weight loss because it can be done for a long time and it burns a significant amount of calories. Walking, hiking, skating, skiing, rowing, and cycling are all good aerobic activities for weight loss. It is recommended that those attempting weight loss exercise aerobically at least 4 to 6 times per week.