Easy Workouts to Lose Weight

More than just sticking to a healthy diet, weight loss also requires physical activity. Rather than doing complicated exercise routines that require gym memberships or personal trainers, you can lose weight and have just as much success with workouts that can be both simple and fun.

Stick to Sports

If you're looking to lose weight, the idea of exercising can be daunting. Rather than focusing on an exercise program, create a workout based on a sport you enjoy. Playing an hour of tennis can be just as effective at burning calories as an hour-long jog. If you enjoy being in water but hate swimming laps, play water polo, which will also burn calories. Sports such as hockey and soccer in which you are consistently on the move will burn lots of calories. Choosing sports in which you're having fun, competing, and playing with a team will make you forget that you're exercising and keep you more active, resulting in a higher amount of weight loss.

Weights and Strength Training

Often when it comes to losing weight, many skip weight training altogether. However, an exercise routine that incorporates strength training will not only shave off fat and replace it with muscle, but also jumpstart your metabolism, meaning it will be easier to burn off those excess calories. Start each weight training routine by first spending 10 minutes stretching. Stagger your workouts so that you spend one day working on your legs and the next on your arms and chest. Pepper in abdominal workouts during each routine. As you continue with exercises that focus on strength, you'll notice that while you might gain weight, your body will begin to tighten and tone. Don't focus on how much you can lift, but instead do three sets of 15 repetitions using lighter weights. You'll have more of an impact with longer reps and more sets than with short reps and sets of heavy weights.

Cardio

If you're not interested in pumping weights, then consider a weight-loss exercise regimen focused on cardio (heart-rate raising) activity. Begin by finding a level of activity you can consistently complete. Don't attempt to run three miles if after the first day you have no intention of running ever again. Begin by going on a brisk walk through your neighborhood and eventually build it into a jog. The key is to keep at it, slowly increasing the distance and intensity of your jogs until the 3-mile run seems like it would be too easy. If you'd rather stay indoors during your cardio routines, consider purchasing a treadmill or stationary bike. This will allow you to work out while distracting yourself with television. According to Fitness Magazine, 45 minutes on a stationary bike results in more than 300 calories being burned. If you're looking to lose weight, riding the stationary bike this way once a day can result in a pound of weight loss each week.