I know that for many of you out there “being interested in sports” means getting in front of the TV and watching the next baseball or football match. We all know that sports are very important for our bodies and our well-being, but just too many people neglect sports out of various reasons.

I’m sorry to tell you but in order to lose weight you will have to make sports part of your daily life. Dieting alone won’t do. Physical activity is the key to weight loss and health. The reason for that is that mere dieting leads to the loss of muscles instead of fat. This is why most crash diets end in a jojo effect.

When talking about practicing sports too many people think about expensive training equipment and gym memberships. Forget about that! Going to the gym is nice, but being physically active doesn’t necessarily mean spending lots of money.

There are so many exercises and sports for which all you need is some sports gear, sports shoes and a little bit of space. I would advise to get some exercise books or to visit a trainer in a gym as he will be able to create a program tailored to the individuals needs.

I guess it is most important to find a sport that you enjoy in order to lose weight. There are so many different types of sports that you will for sure find something you like if you start looking around. In that case it is important to know that, of course, different sports have different levels of efficiency. Some burn more calories than others.

The next table will provide some details on the calories burned in 30 minutes by a person with an average body weight of 130 pounds and 175 pounds:

Find a sport you enjoy

1. Running (7 miles per hour) 350kcal/470kcal
2. Jump roping 320kcal/420kcal
3. Cycling (15 miles per hour) 300kcal/400kcal
4. Swimming 260kcal/350kcal
5. Cross-country skiing (7 miles per hour) 250kcal/340kcal
6. Rowing 250kcal/340kcal
7. Inline Skating 220kcal/340kcal
8. Aerobic 220kcal/300kcal
9. Nordic walking 190kcal/250kcal
10. Walking 130kal/170kcal

You may decide for any of these sports or another one not listed here. The most important thing is that you find a sport that you like to practice as it will be really important for you to lose weight.

Being physically active is even more fun if you share the experience with other people. Probably there is someone in your circle of friends who also wants to lose weight or get fit. You will find that practicing sports together is more fun and also more challenging thereby helping you a lot on your weight loss journey.