Can You Lose Weight on a Treadmill?

by Joshua Mathiason on January 7, 2012 · weight loss

in weight loss

It is a widely known fact that treadmills are rated by scientific studies as the best equipment-based method for using up calories and creating an effective weight-loss programme. Of late there has been a discourse developing among experts putting forth the point that elliptical machines have a slight edge in that regard, but the treadmill is still the leading choice for rehab, conditioning and research, and remains resolutely rated as the top machine available.

While there isn’t any doubt you can utilize a treadmill effectively to lose weight, it’s also very clear that not everyone experiences equal results. This is a vital point and if you are employing a treadmill to lose weight there are definitely some things you need to know in order to be successful.

1. Exercise Often

If you aren't climbing up on that treadmill frequently enough, you can't expect to drop any pounds. There’s no guesswork involved here. At the Duke University Medical Center, they commissioned a study which indicated that you will need to get in 20 miles of jogging per week to start to lose the pounds. According to their statistics, jogging twelve miles per week will enable you to maintain your present weight, but at that level you cannot expect to lose any. If you're jogging at a pace of six miles per hour, twenty miles will be around three and a half hours of running on the treadmill, so you can accomplish that in a half hour per day. That isn't so hard.

An important consideration for maintaining consistency is having a treadmill that you enjoy using. If you’re shopping for one, read a lot of treadmill reviews.

2. Exercise in Moderation

The Mayo hospital has also provided a lot of research into exercise and tells us that moderate-intensity workouts provide the most useful route to weight loss. The recipe is pretty simple. If you aren't pushing yourself at all, you will not get enough exertion to benefit you, and if you are overdoing it, you’ll end up out and cramping up, which can make it unlikely that you’ll stick it out thru the week. There’s a great way to determine the intensity of your workout. You should be able have a conversation while working out, but you need to be too winded to sing. If those two conditions are met, you are engaged in a moderate-intensity workout.

3. Eat Right

You'll not lose weight with your treadmill program if your diet is unhealthy. The ideal you wish to strive for is to dump processed foods altogether and eat a lot of whole, unrefined food. The closer you come to achieving this, the more effective your fat reduction program will be. Plenty of my clients have protested that they can't lose pounds regardless of what they do, and all I have to do is open their kitchen cabinets and point at the issue.

4. Hydration

An exceedingly important part of eating right is providing your body with correct hydration. This will promote weight management and also assist you in maintaining longer and more uniform work-outs. When your body is dehydrated you will tire swiftly and not be equipped to keep a good pace in your jogging. If you over-consume water it will work against you. For most people, eight ounces of water each twenty minutes is satisfactory.

Keep these simple points in mind and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can achieve your weight loss goals.

Joshua Mathiason is a workout coach and fitness trainer. He specializes in matching individuals to the best workout program for their needs, and as a part of that work he reviews workout machines and workout programs. You can read some of his reviews at the Sole F80 Treadmill site. He enjoys providing articles that help folks get more out of their exercise such as this treadmill review.

Leave a Comment