On the topic of trying to lose weight, there are two ways to accomplish this. You can eat fewer calories and you can exercise. This sounds simple, but not all exercises are made the same.I have to tell you that all exercise is definitely good, there are definitly some exercises that you more of a return on your time spent. Exercises that provide both a cardiovascular workout and a resistance workout are the best in my book.

Here are 20 great exercises you can do right in the comfort of your own home that will burn a tone of calories and maintain good strong muscles and boost your metabolism even when you're not working out.

Bodyweight squats - Stand with feet shoulder width apart squat down like you're sitting back into a chair, drive your heels into the floor a return to the starting position. Try 10 reps to start working up to 20, and then 30.

Y-Squat - Same as above, with your arms up and out to your sides to make your arms and body resemble a "Y" shape. Try 10 reps, working up to 20 and then 30 reps.

Squat jumps - Starting in the same position as above, squat down as if you're sitting back into a chair and then jump up from this bottom squat position. When you land from the jump sit right back down into this squatting position and repeat. Start out with 8, and then work your way up to 12, 15 then possibly 20.

Lunges - Standing with feet shoulder width apart talk a long step forward with your right foot lunge down touching your left knee to the ground. Drive your right heel into the ground and push yourself back to the starting position and switch legs. Try 10 reps per leg to start, working up to 15 then 20.

Reverse Lunges - Standing with feet shoulder width apart talk a long step backwards with your right foot, touch your right toes to the ground lunging backward touching your right knee to the ground. Drive your left heel into the ground and step back forward with your right foot, then switch legs. Try 8 reps to start working up to 15 then 20.

Push-Ups - Lying flat on the ground face down. On your toes and hands push yourself off the ground. If using your toes and your hands is too hard at first, then start out using your knees and hands. Start out with 8, and then work your way up to 12, 15 then possibly 20. (once you can do more than 20 on your knees and hands, start trying to do some on your feet and hands)

Push-Up/Stick-Up - Do a push up the same as above, now in between each push up stand up and raise your arms above your head (like your being held up at gun point...this is why they call it a 'stick up') and then get right back down and do your next push up. Continue doing each repetition like this. Start out with 8, and then work your way up to 12 and then possibly 15.

Step-Ups - Go to a set of stairs and step up to the second stair with your right foot. Step back down and then switch feet. Continue alternating feet until you have stepped up 20 times on each foot.

Bridge - Get into a traditional push up position on your hands and feet keeping your body rigid and hold for 30 seconds. As you get better at these work up to 45 and then 60 seconds.

Start by working through one set of all of these exercises. As your strength and endurance increases, and you get better at them, you can add in another set of each, or you can even choose which exercises you like to add more sets. Take 30-60 seconds rest between each exercise.

Copyright (c) 2008 John Barban