Which Exercises Will Make Me Lose Weight?

Question: I lost weight by running and have recently switched to swimming. Now I can't keep the weight on! Are there certain exercises that are more effective at weight loss than others?

Dr. Tsai: Some exercises may be more effective in helping you lose weight than others. The difference may lie in the intensity of the activity. The more intense the workout, the more calories burned and weight lost. Certain exercises may also utilize more muscle groups than others so that you may be spending more energy even if you are exercising for the same amount of time and at the same intensity. Finally, if you enjoy one exercise more than another, you are more likely to be able to sustain that activity for a longer session.

If you are concerned that you are losing too much weight, then you may need to cut down on your level of activity. The other option is to consume more calories. While being overweight is associated with health problems, being underweight may also incur health risks.