Even nutritionist agree: Exercise appears to be the key in losing weight. The leanest people in this country eat the most food, but they’re the most active.

Obviously, exercise burns calories. But according to some researchers, it may also increase your metabolism, possibly for as long as 18 hours after you’ve worked out. So you end up burning more calories, even after your workout.

The effects of adding exercise to your life will vary depending on how active you already are. If you’re already exercising occasionally, you may need more aggressive exercise like running and cycling.

Use tricks to get your body moving

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
2. Park far away.
3. Walk instead of riding or driving.
4. Take a short walks if you can’t fit one 30 minute workout into your schedule.

If you need more vigorous exercise:

1. Cross train. Because intense exercise can break down muscle tissue, you want to give those muscles 48 hours to replace themselves between workouts. You can take day off, of course, or you can alternate exercises that work different muscle groups. For example, use a rowing machine on Monday and run on Tuesday.
2. Alternate hard and easy. You can try this practice to avoid injury as well. Work hard one day easy the next: Run, then walk, for example. Based on statistical study, 65% of the people who take up running or aerobics quit within six weeks because of injury, i am sure you do not want to be part of the statistic!
3. Try strength training as well. Lean body mass, or muscle, burns more calories. Aerobic exercise isn’t the only way to lose weight. But including some resistance training in your program, you’ll create a muscle mass.