With the news that exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer for women of all ages, by reducing fat levels in the body, we take a look at the fat-burning activities.

People tend to naturally accumulate fat as they age - a falling metabolic rate, sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced diet are the most important factors contributing to an increase in body fat.

Fat-burning exercise aims at maintaining a level of activity that encourages the body to oxidise (burn) fat stored as a source of energy.

A person wishing to lose body fat should consider regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet. 

By following a program of integrated activity that includes fat-burning exercise, conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension can be avoided.

What is fat burning exercise?

You do not need to follow strenuous activities to burn fat

If exercise intensity becomes too high, the body cannot use fat for fuel, as it is not converted into energy fast enough to keep up with demands.  During periods of intense exercise, fat oxidation actually decreases, and carbohydrate oxidation increases.

In order to achieve maximum fat-burning benefits, it is necessary to exercise less intensely, but for longer periods of time.   A brisk 45-minute walk is more beneficial in fat-burning terms than a 20-minute run.

Fat burning exercise raises the bodys metabolic rate and enables it to burn calories more efficiently, rather than storing excess energy as fat.

Metabolic rate remains elevated for approximately 24 hours after exercising  assisting with weight management.

Good forms of fat-burning exercise include:

If you can hold a conversation without too much difficulty during exercise, you are more likely to be working at a level where fat oxidation can occur.  Look at the Exercise intensity section for more information.

02/06/2009