Not only is exercise important for weight loss, it is vital to keeping off extra weight after it is lost… but what counts as exercise?

After discussing exercise recommendations with our patients, we often hear things like “I don’t go to the gym but I am so active during the day I don’t need to” or “well I go up and down the stairs to do laundry; does that count?”  We also encounter patients who work in professions that require them to be more active throughout the day, so they feel they have met physical activity recommendations for weight loss through this activity.

Are they right?  Do they need to exercise more to lose weight?

To see different results, you have to make a change.  If you want your exercise routine to help you lose more weight, you have to increase your physical activity intensity or duration.  In other words, you have to either be active for longer than you usually are or you have to make it more challenging than it usually is.

Unless you are currently meeting the recommendations of at least 250 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week, we suggest increasing your physical activity level to lose more weight (provided you are cleared by a physician for exercise).

If you are trying to lose weight, please consider visiting us at Olivera Weight Loss.  We use research-proven strategies, approaches and tools to help our patients achieve successful weight loss.  We offer a variety of services to meet your needs.  In our remote Nutrition Consultations, our Registered Dietitian develops a plan customized to meet your needs without you ever having to leave your home.  Phentermine, an FDA approved appetite suppressant proven to help patients lose weight, is available at Olivera Weight Loss for patients who qualify.   For more information on pricing and our other services, please visit our webpage or give us a call at 773-327-6624.  Follow us on Facebook for free weight loss tips, recipes and more.

*Please note, appointments are required for new patients and strongly encouraged for returning patients to minimize wait times.*

Written by Cassandra Towns, RDN, LDN, CD, CLC