Maximum effective weight loss is about one pound a week. Learn to Play Again. The key to burning fat is burning calories. And the only way to significantly increase your body's caloric expenditure is to increase your level of activity. And we have forgotten that exercise is an act of caring and self-respect, not work or punishment.
Regular exercise is one of the few proven predictors of successful weight maintenance.
Even more important, regular activity significantly reduces a long list of health risks, ranging from cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure to breast cancer. If this was your initial reaction, think again. It's also one of the best ways to maintain good posture and reduce the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis. And most people, both men and women, will not develop big muscles unless they work very hard at it. The good news is, working your major muscle groups against resistance just twice a week will bring you a long list of benefits.