Weight loss has been a hot topic of debate for decades. The topic has gained even more relevance in the 21st century. The collapse of today’s economy and competitive marketplace have forced people to work odd hours and lose focus on their health. Most of the young executives of multinational companies do not have time to eat properly, let alone exercise regularly. The inevitable result of this unhealthy lifestyle has been the accumulation of unhealthy fat and obesity in the young. What’s even worse is that there are hundreds of bogus weight loss systems and therapies on the market. These therapies often cost a fortune, but give little to no results. So here are some extremely easy yet effective workout routines that are guaranteed to drop the extra pounds.

However, just a note of caution before we get to the interesting part. The exercise routine must be followed with dedication for at least a few months. If you stop after seeing some initial results, the lost weight and fat will come back in no time. So here we go:

1) Running or jogging outdoors

This is still the best way to work your muscles and lose weight. This is best suited for people who don’t have the time or means for full-blown running. The exercise is quite simple. You have to find a free place, maybe in your living room or on the roof. Do a little light warm up and then start slow jogging on the spot. For the first few days, you can shoot pretty fast. So keep the pace of the exercise slow and do it for about 10 to 15 minutes. After the first week, increase the speed and also try to increase the duration by five minutes every other day. If you do the exercise every day, by the end of the month you should be able to start running on the spot.

2) Running or jogging

There is no exercise like running or jogging early in the morning. Try doing it in a park or on a lonely path. The sooner you start the day, the better. In the first week, stick to running for about 20-25 minutes with breaks in between. Don’t try to push yourself too hard. If you do it regularly, you’ll be able to run for half an hour straight in no time. When you run, you work your entire body and most of your core muscle groups. After about a month, you will definitely notice changes in your weight and in your body.

3) Abdominals or abdominals

Well, from my personal experience I can say that this exercise is very useful and super effective at the same time. You need to lie on your back on a smooth surface, and then bring your heels closer to your buttocks while keeping your knees together. Keep your hands locked under your head. Once you’re in position, sit as if you want to touch your head to your knees. Even if you can’t touch your knees, get as close as possible. Use only your stomach muscles as you stand up. The first few times you may not be able to repeat more than 2-3 times. Do 3 sets of the same repetitions with at least 2 minutes of rest between each set. Take a day off between each stomach exercise. Increase the sets and reps as you go.

4) swim

This is probably the best full body exercise that can be done without using any equipment. If you have a pool in your house, nothing can be better than that. If not, join a local swim club and participate in morning, afternoon, or even night swim sessions. Do your pool span based on your stamina. Use your best judgment as losing energy in the middle of a lap can be dangerous. While swimming, the muscle groups of the thighs, arms, back, waist, abdomen and lower legs are intensively worked. If you swim regularly, you will lose weight faster than you thought possible.

5) Climbing Stairs

You have no idea how effective this small lifestyle change can be when it comes to your fitness. We are all used to taking the elevators at work and sometimes we use them to go up or down only 2-3 flights of stairs. Of course, if you’re in a hurry, you should always use the elevators. But if you’re going for a snack or coming back from the cafeteria, try going up the stairs. Taking the stairs every day can really help you lose excess calories and build stamina. I have seen my friend lose 22 pounds in two months just by watching his diet and walking up the stairs at the office every day for two months. He too can get those amazing results.

6) Cycling

Another very effective but often overlooked method of exercise. Some people use stationary bikes for exercise, but I say nothing beats the real thing. I have lost extra pounds several times in the past by cycling a lot. If you can get to and from work in your cycle, it’s even better than setting aside time for this activity. Most cities these days offer special bike lanes for people, so you shouldn’t have to worry about traffic. Constant changes in road elevation and undulations can effectively challenge your muscles and give them more exercise. These types of deviations in training difficulty cannot be obtained from static cycles.

Important things to remember before starting your exercise routine

1) Always eat something very light like a glass of milk and toast before exercising. If you exercise on an empty stomach, you may sometimes feel dizzy.

2) Never go swimming with a full stomach. You may have cramps.

3) Don’t try too hard. Your stamina will build slowly over time.

4) Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see any marked difference after a couple of weeks. After all, the extra pounds you want to get rid of did not accumulate in one day.

Always keep your goal in mind. Whenever you want to feel the urge to quit smoking, visualize yourself with a slim fir body. Controlling the diet along with exercise is essential if you want to lose weight and keep fit. I’ll be back soon with an article on healthy eating while exercising to help lose weight.