Ask Mary

Your personal nutritionist

By Mary Hartley, RD
Director of Nutrition

How much exercise do I need for weight maintenance?
Asked by anonymous on Feb 14, 2008 in Weight Maintenance

I lost 25 pounds and I'm ready to maintain. How much exercise do I need to prevent weight gain?

Answer

The maintainers in the National Weight Control Registry exercise an average of 60 minutes a day. You might be able to maintain with less, but, at very least, you need to meet the national physical activity guidelines. All adults need 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week. Moderate activity includes brisk walking, mowing the lawn and easy bicycling. Vigorous activity includes jogging, step aerobics and bicycling uphill.

Read about exercise for weight maintenance from the Exercise Guide at About.com:

Successful Weight Loss Habit No. 1: Exercise