because exercise helps use up oxygen it causes your body to burn stored fat and helps you maintain a normal weight. for instance if you walk 4 miles a day four times a week you can burn about 1 600 calories or nearly half a pound a week. if you don't change your diet at all and keep walking the same distance over six months you'll lose 12 pounds. walk the same distance for a year and you'll drop 24 pounds! the neat thing about exercise is you don't have to do it all at one time. after all not many teens have time to walk 4 miles after school! but you can do 4 miles in short bursts throughout your day. here's an idea of how to work that much exercise into your daily regimen: take a 1-mile walk on a treadmill before school. then take a 1-mile walk around the track during school lunch period. take a 1-mile walk after school with friends or the family dog. take a 1-mile walk on the treadmill while watching your favorite show before dinner. if you stay with the walking program you'll see benefits with: weight loss muscle strengthening and definition stronger bones a lower heart rate better mood an improved complexion.
as a teen how can exercise affect my weight?