How active are you?

The government recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day for good health, and more may be needed for weight loss. You can get the same health benefits from breaking this up into 10-minute blocks.

Many people would describe themselves as active because they feel busy, but for the majority of their time they are sedentary. Obese people tend towards sedentary behaviour and can be seated for an extra 2 ½ hours per day compared to slim people.

The established best way to lose weight, and keep it off, is to change your diet and activity at the same time. Take less energy in and expend more out and you will tip the balance towards weight loss. Exercise is very important when restricting your energy intake because it helps to keep your metabolism high, so that you keep losing weight fast, and it helps you to lose weight from fat stores and not muscle.

Beneficial physical activity doesn’t have to be structured exercise, but can instead be a daily activity such as walking. Getting a pedometer from your Consultant Mentor or ordering one online is a great way to see how little changes add up over the day to make you more active. Your Consultant Mentor can help you set incremental targets for your daily number of steps.

Regular exercise will reduce your risk of major diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as help you to lose weight. Regular exercise also improves your mood, which helps you to stay motivated on your weight loss plan. You don’t have to join a gym to do it, as there are many low cost forms of exercise that are fun.

Want some ideas?

Home-based exercise... Walking... Swimming... Cycling