Britons told the ideal amount of exercise they should do per week to lose weight - keeping active is a 'miracle cure'

Britons told the ideal amount of exercise they should do per week to lose weight - keeping active is a 'miracle cure'
Diana Moran takes the GB News panel through her morning exercise routine
GB NEWS
Anna Barry

By Anna Barry


Published: 14/02/2024

- 16:37

Britons don't need to overdo it in the gym in order to lose weight, with experts revealing the optimal amount of time they should be keeping active per week

Britons can lose weight by keeping active for a specific amount of minutes per week, according to medical professionals.

The NHS recommends that slimmers aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week.


Maintaining an active lifestyle has major health benefits. Calling it a "miracle cure", the NHS revealed that exercise can reduce a person's risk of major illnesses including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer, plus lower their risk of early death by up to 30 per cent.

In contrast, a sedentary lifestyle is believed to increase a person's risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, plus weight gain and obesity.

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Men walking / Couple playing tennis

Experts shared how much exercise Britons should be doing to achieve a slim physique

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In order to drop excess fat, the NHS recommends keeping active for 150 minutes a week.

This does not have to mean an intense two-and-a-half-hour session. The experts told Britons they can break this up into shorter bursts.

Examples of moderate intensity activity include walking for health, water aerobics, cycling, dancing for fitness, doubles tennis, pushing a lawn mower and hiking.

Examples of vigorous activity include running, aerobics, swimming, riding a bike - fast or on hilly ground -singles tennis, football, hiking uphill, dancing for fitness and martial arts.

The NHS offered over 65s some advice on the exercise they should be doing. The experts said: "Aim to be physically active every day, even if it's just light activity.

"Do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least two days a week. Do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both."

The NHS also recommended that people of this age group limit the amount of time they spend sitting or lying down, and break up long periods of being sedentary with some activity.

While the NHS advises that 150 minutes of physical activity is ideal for weight loss, the optimal amount and type of exercise is an individual matter.

Woman cycling

Cycling is a great form of moderate intensity activity for those who want to slim down

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Britons were advised to consult a GP if they haven't exercised in a while, or if they suffer from a medical condition. Your chosen activity and intensity should be appropriate for each individual.

Exercise can also help women look younger, according to one expert. A Pilates teacher claimed that a particular workout can make the body more "youthful".

While keeping active is an important component of maintaining a healthy weight, the popular saying 'abs are made in the kitchen' suggests that diet is also essential.

Weight loss experts suggested that Britons can lose weight fast by making daily swaps at breakfast time.

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