Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and helps you burn calories. The longer you exercise, the more your body will burn fat. Working out for 30 minutes or more at a time will help you get the most benefit from aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercises include swimming, brisk walking, jogging and bicycling. Weight training, or anaerobic exercise, is also good because it adds muscle mass to your body.
Muscles burn calories faster than fat.
Be sure to check with your family doctor before you begin an exercise program. He or she can help you plan a healthy diet and an exercise schedule that will help you meet your weight-loss goals. This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for more useful information on this and many other health-related topics.