A question about excercise types...

[RyanWasHere]

Hey, I've been trying to find an activity to do for long periods of time, to lose weight without building too much muscle.

I'm not to fond of jogging, I just don't stay motivated when I could just walk. Lately, I've been swimming circles around the neighbor hood pool. (Dog paddling... to be more specific). For about 2 hours a day, without stopping. I figured since the activity was rather slow paced, and consistent as opposed to sprinting, that it would be good for burning fat without building too much muscle.

Is this accurate?

[Virginia87106]

Hi Ryan-

Yes, swimming is very good exercise and works almost the whole body.  To really get the most out of it try taking some lessons so you can do the "crawl" stroke well, and you will burn even more calories.

Another good exercise is biking.  If done at a good pace, and going up and down hills, this is also a good whole body exercise, that does not build bulky muscle.

[Tina2]

Hi Ryan, swimming is good like Virginia said, walking is also good, my wife does a lot of walking and she loves what it has done to her thigh's and butt   she can fit into her old jeans again, it might take a few 2-4 weeks or more to see some results but if you walk briskly 15-30 min or more 3-5 days a week it should work but even if you do the swimming on the same schedule it should work too, aloha.

Tina

[cindybc]

Hi Tina, walking a good brisk walk for an hour 7 days a week has certainly started to work on reducing my tummy and also a good way to strengthen your upper respiratory and cardiovascular system. Swimming is good and I love swimming but have no access to a place to go swimming.

Cindy

[Jamie-o]

Dancing (my aunt lost 20 pounds doing the twist  ), jumping on a trampoline, in-line skating.  (But don't forget the elbow pads!)  Skating will tighten your tush like nobody's business.

[DonnaC]

Hi Ryan,

Swimming is actually a wonderful exercise to not only stay fit, but also to lose that unwanted muscle.  I prefer running myself, but that's probably because I'm not a very good swimmer.  Any type of physical activity from walking to dancing to bike riding will help you. 

Hugs,

Donna   

[Just Mandy]

Hey, I've been trying to find an activity to do for long periods of time, to lose weight without building too much muscle.

I'm not to fond of jogging, I just don't stay motivated when I could just walk. Lately, I've been swimming circles around the neighbor hood pool. (Dog paddling... to be more specific). For about 2 hours a day, without stopping. I figured since the activity was rather slow paced, and consistent as opposed to sprinting, that it would be good for burning fat without building too much muscle.

Is this accurate?

I would think that dog paddling around the pool would be on par with walking... maybe a little better since you are
using your arms. Swimming is an amazing fat reducer. Think about all the competitive swimmers... they have
like zero body fat. You will be able to tell after about 30 days if the dog paddling is working.

Amanda

[foreversarah]

Hi,

Do aerobic exercises - long periods of sustained exercise. For example running, swimming and rowing. You want to avoid the weights.

Sarah

[gina]

Another activity, Jumping rope is a great aerobic exercise and is perfect for a cardiovascular workout, just start slow and keep your heart rate within a safe margin. You could drop the weight quite fast while developing tone and not too much muscle. 

gina