3 Great Weight Loss Exercises

It's a given that effective weight loss is much more then simply going on a "diet". To really lose weight and (hopefully) keep that weight off, you need to add exercise to the equation. For Most people, weight loss exercise means aerobics ? running, jogging, kickboxing or some other type of routine where you get your heart racing for 30 to 45 minutes.

It's true, that one hour of aerobic exercise probably burns more calories than one hour of weight training. However, the calories burned during exercise are only part of the story. When you're finished lifting weights, your muscles need repair themselves; this repair process burns additional calories. Further, the result of this repair process is additional muscle mass, and guess what --muscles burn calories, even if you're just sitting around. Recently, Curves' Fitness centers revealed the results of two separate studies that prove just that. The studies showed that participants were actually burning, on average, an additional 265 calories per day, because of the additional muscle mass. Meaning they could actually eat more everyday without gaining weight!

Want to really pack some muscle on? Try adding these three exercises to your fitness routine. All three are "compound exercises" meaning they work multiple muscles simultaneously.

The Squat: One of the toughest exercises you can do, the squat, as its name implies, involves squatting down to an almost sitting position, then pushing yourself back up. Squats can be performed with or without added weights. Simply stated, the squat packs muscle on your lower body, muscle that will be burning calories for you, even while you sleep.

The Deadlift: Another great lower body exercise that also hits your shoulders and arms. Using a barbell, you start in an almost kneeling position, keeping your spine straight. You grip the weight(s) about shoulder width apart, then slowly push up until you're standing with the weight at about waist level. After a momentary pause, you slowly lower the weight back to the starting position.

The Bench Press: Here we work the upper body, especially the chest and shoulders. This exercise can be performed using either a barbell or dumb bells. You start by lying on a bench, grip the weights at about shoulder width, press up until just before your arms lock, then slowly lower the weight back to the starting position.

All three of these great exercises have multiple variations; beginners should start with very low weight and practice the exercise to get proper form. Better yet, invest in an hours worth of personal trainer time and have him/her get you started and help you develop an ongoing plan.

David Olsen is the founder of 40Something Fitness, the website that helps you defy middle-age. Visit us for more muscle and fitness articles today.

In The News:


WBUR

Vigorous Exercise Might Protect Against Psoriasis
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By Rita Rubin May 24, 2012 -- Here's yet another reason to exercise: A new study suggests that vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis. The findings come out of the long-running Nurses' Health Study, which includes only women, ...
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New York Times

'Futile exercise that ignores Kashmiri aspirations'
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SRINAGAR: Kashmir's separatist leaders on Thursday rejected the report submitted by the Centre-appointed interlocutors calling it a futile exercise. While Mehbooba Mufti's PDP welcomed some of the recommendations of the report, chief minister Omar ...
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Science Codex

Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance
Science Codex
A new study testing the benefits of a virtual exercise partner shows the presence of a moderately more capable cycling partner can significantly boost the motivation – by as much as 100 percent – to stick to an exercise program.
Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance: Motivation gains can doubleMedical Xpress

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How my exercise playlist keeps me going
Boston.com (blog)
Every song I picked has a person or memory attached to it. It really helped me keep my mind off of thinking about how tired I was getting or how far I still had to go. What little tricks do you use when you have to get through a hard exercise routine?


Yoga - another exercise for diabetics
LaSalle News Tribune
Edelman stated yoga combines meditation and breathing to form a relaxing method of exercise. Edelman was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 2005. After experiencing a lack of local diabetes support resources, she turned to the Internet for support.


Exercise does not improve lipoprotein levels in obese patients with fatty ...
EurekAlert (press release)
New research found that moderate exercise does not improve lipoprotein concentrations in obese patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Results published in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the ...

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2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise Demonstrates State's Preparedness for ...
WCTV
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) today concluded the 2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Organized by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the exercise is designed to ...

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Venerable Announces Option Exercise Payment
MarketWatch (press release)
... Inc. (collectively, the "Optionors"), the Company has completed the first anniversary payments required to be made to the Optionors as partial consideration for the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Trout Property.

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Exercise Is Healthy, but Does It Make You Live Longer?
U.S. News & World Report
Yet a growing body of evidence shows that regular exercise can delay or prevent many age-related ailments, even among longtime couch potatoes. "There's compelling data that older individuals participating in exercise programs show dramatic improvement ...


Runner fights through exercise-induced asthma
WDTN
(AP) - A West Michigan high school junior hopes to qualify for several state track events while fighting exercise-induced asthma. The Holland Sentinel reports that Melissa Francis keeps going nonstop, whether it's on the basketball court or the track.

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