One would think simply eating less would be a way to achieve weight loss. The fact is when you simply reduce the number of calories you consume; your body's metabolism actually slows down, resulting in burning off fewer calories. A way to increase your metabolism is to add some daily physical activity to your weight loss plan.

Now that we can see how important an exercise program is in achieving weight loss, we have to wonder what is the best exercise to achieve this? Perhaps the best exercise an individual can do to lose weight is one, which he or she enjoys, and one, which they will stick with. This can be almost anything. The key is in picking an exercise you won't hate to do, so that you will continue to do it.

Walking is an excellent form of exercise and one that anyone can do. You can start off slow and gradually increase your walking time over a period. You can add periods of jogging between walk cycles, carry weights or add resistance exercises. Walking is just one example of an aerobic exercise program. Others in this area include jogging, biking, swimming, racket sports, aerobic dancing, roller-skating and even the treadmill and stationary bike. These are all fitness exercises, which are meant to increase endurance and stamina.

Strengthening exercises are also ideal for weight loss. By placing enough of a load on our muscles, they will increase in size and burn more calories. They will even burn more calories when our bodies are at rest. With more muscle tissue and less fat, our metabolic rates will increase. It will result in a firmer, more toned body. This is just what we are all looking for!

An important addition to all exercises is flexibility exercises. Stretching and loosening up our body will keep our joints flexible and prevent injuries. They will also warm up our bodies and get our muscles moving.

Ideally when exercising, you want to increase your heart rate to your target zone, which is 50-75% over your maximum heart rate for your age. The higher the intensity of your workout, the longer your body will continue to burn calories after the activity is over. Weight loss is more than not eating a lot. It is also about physical activity. But the exercise must be performed on a consistent basis. You will find not only will it help you lose weight, but it will also have other substantial health benefits. So pick some physical activity you enjoy doing. Not only will you drop a few sizes, develop a good sense of well being, but you will also be doing something healthy for yourself. So get moving, get healthy and get rid of those extra pounds.