You have made the decision to change your life, eat better, exercise more, and finally lose that extra weight.  So, what exactly is the best type of exercise to lose weight?  There is one answer that resonates among dieticians, physicians, weight loss counselors, and personal trainers: the best type of exercise for weight loss is the one you will actually do on a regular basis.  You need to determine what you enjoy doing, and stick with it.

That being said, there are a few types of exercise that will lead to better overall results.  Aerobic based, cardiovascular workouts that incorporate regular bouts of weight training tend to burn the highest amounts of fat and calories.  It is a good idea to choose a few different types of activities and alternate between them during the week.  This will burn more calories because the different types of exercise will work different muscle groups, it will also help to increase metabolic function. 

Aside from the health benefits, alternating exercise routines will also help to prevent boredom.  Avoiding boredom is an important key to sticking with a workout program. 

Many personal trainers also recommend a bit of cross training to further enhance the results of your workout.  Cross training programs incorporate many different types of activities during one workout session.  The programs are typically broken up into different segments all with varying levels of intensity. 

This is ideal because it causes your body to work harder overall, which burns a great deal more calories.  Just as with alternating workouts, different muscle groups are worked, which helps to put less strain on one particular area, lowering the total risk for developing injuries from repetitive motion.  Cross training also causes less wear and tear on your joints due to less general stress.
 
In addition to undertaking a new workout program, make small simple changes to your daily life.  Try walking to work if possible, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, and parking a ways away from the store, rather than looking for the closest available parking space. 

If you enjoy an activity such as swimming, join a health club and take up water aerobics, or take up a water sport.  Traditional sports such as golf can become a great deal more physical with a few minor changes.  Leave the cart at the clubhouse and carry your own clubs.  You will get a good workout from the game, the walk, and from carrying the weight of your golf bag.

You do not need to spend a lot of money on gym memberships or special exercise equipment, nor do you need to take on complex exercise programs.  You just need to get up, get moving, and keep moving.  Set goals that you can really work toward, and do not beat yourself up if you have a set back.  The key is to find something you enjoy, and stay active.  The more you incorporate exercise into your daily life, the more you will find it to become a way of life.