If you have decided to use kayaking as a way to lose weight, you will find yourself shedding pounds faster than you thought possible. According to the studies of the American Council on Exercise show that an average person weighing 125lbs can burn 283 calories per hour of kayaking. Similarly, a 200lb person burns 454 calories.
Especially when you begin a kayaking exercise regime to lose weight, you will notice how quickly kayaking actually works. In turn, the better you get at kayaking, the easier it is for your body. Meaning you will eventually start to burn fewer calories.
The benefits of kayaking for weight loss
Kayaking has a number of benefits, especially to your health that make it a great form of exercise to take up for burning calories.
It’s not only is great cardio but also strength and endurance training due to the hard work that paddling can be. It’s almost impossible to kayak and not feel tired.
If you were to take up kayaking a few times a week as well as look at improving your diet and making healthy choices, it’s a sure fire way to start losing weight.
Some tips to burn more calories
There are some things you can do to help you burn even more calories when you’re kayaking.
Use your core
One of the best ways to burn more calories while kayaking is to use proper technique and engage your core when kayaking.
This way your abs will be getting a work out as well as your upper body and you’ll not only lose weight but be a more efficient kayaker.
Find more challenging water
When you find current water ways too easy, it is time to branch out and find a more difficult water way to navigate. This will not only challenge you physically, but also technically and over time you will begin to notice the water way you just upgraded to is now easier.
Paddle for longer
Instead of paddling for a few minutes and enjoying the glide while you rest, take initiative to paddle for ten minutes at a time, and increase the duration by a minute or two each time you take out the kayak.
Set higher goals
As you improve and begin to meet your initial goals, do not stop there! Raise the bar a little higher and aim to surpass that. Make sure you give yourself time to reach your goals and remember to only be in competition with yourself. Comparing yourself to others will not be healthy nor will it be productive.
Kayak with friends
Joining a kayaking group or club will help ensure that you remember and are motivated to continue taking out your kayak. If you have others who are counting on you to keep your plans, you will be more likely to follow through with them, therefore continuing your exercise regime. Besides, kayaking with a group of friends is fun!
Adjust your diet
In addition to taking on the outdoor sport, adjusting to a healthier diet can also help keep your weight down. You will find that the productive exercise done on the kayak will not go to waste if you are not eating junk foods.
It is important to realize that you will need to make realistic goals for yourself. Find out exactly what it is you want to achieve (slimmer waist, more strength or flexibility, build more muscle tone, lose x amount of weight) and take steps each day to reach your goal. Using kayaking as a way to lose weight can be done, but you must be consistent with your diet and exercise as well as challenging yourself to do better and take on more when you are ready.
If you do not have space for a kayak in your home or car, there are several inflatable and foldable kayak makes and models on the market. The fact that you cannot store a kayak should not be used as an excuse to not act on buying (and therefore using) a kayak. Even if you have never kayaked before, there are several options available for beginners.
Summing up
In the end, kayaking is definitely a great way to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you find you are asking yourself ‘Is kayaking a great way to lose weight?’, be assured that yes, kayaking is a great way to lose weight as long as you are consistent, continue to set goals, and keep improving.