Weight loss boils down to behavior modification and tipping the energy balance scale – eating less or exercising more – but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2012 data, more than one third or 35.7 percent of U.S. adults are obese and doing just the opposite.

That means Americans need to eat less and move more to reduce the incidence of obesity. But diet is only one aspect of healthy weight loss. Exercise is the other major factor in the energy balance equation.

“Balance. It’s all about finding a balance,” Kim Morgan, owner and instructor at Fit Nation, said.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day is ideal. In order to reach a weight goal, one may need to increase that amount to 60 minutes or intensity.

And the Shreveport-Bossier City area has no shortage of avenues for physical activity.

“The hardest part about starting any exercise program is getting started,” Tina McKay, manager and certified trainer at The Gym, said. “Once you walk through the doors and commit, the hard part is over. Remember if it was easy, everybody would do it.”

Leigh Ann Miller, owner and instructor of Jazzercise, said to start slow when beginning a new exercise program.

She welcomes new clients to take the class at their own pace and to enjoy themselves. Jazzercise is a dance-based fitness program, which combines dance, kickboxing, resistance training, strength training, yoga and Pilates, all married together in a 60-minute class.

“The nice thing about Jazzercise is that it’s easy to modify for endurance and fitness level – whether you’re at Day 1 or Day 101,” she said. “My job is to make it enjoyable for my customers so they’ll come back.”

Morgan stresses the importance of imparting the definition of fitness to new clients.

To her, fitness includes the components of muscular strength and endurance, cardio and flexibility.

“I always stress flexibility. To me, it’s the most important. Having range of motion allows you to do other things. You can’t reach your full potential in class without it,” Morgan said. “And then, find a balance of the components of fitness. Have a little bit of it all to be fit.”

She, too, suggests starting off slowly with a new program, maybe going from three days a week to five to six days. She said most of the group classes at Fit Nation last 45 minutes, meeting and exceeding one’s minimum daily recommendation for physical activity.

Morgan also suggested trying out different classes and not limiting oneself to the treadmill or circuit training. “Find something you enjoy and do it,” she said.

Morgan said she sometimes has clients who say they don’t like to exercise. “I don’t believe that,” she said. “I say, ‘You just haven’t found what you like yet.’ There is something for everyone.”

In turn, the benefits of exercise can abound. McKay said, “Weight-bearing exercises are great to help improve bone density, strengthen muscles, improve activities of daily living, and you look and feel better about yourself, which gives someone higher self-esteem.

“Cardio exercise improves the cardiovascular system and cardio respiratory system. This helps lower blood pressure and prevents the heart from having to work so hard in the body and breathing improves as your cardio respiratory system gets stronger. The most important benefit for most people is weight loss, increase strength, more energy, confidence in themselves and an overall healthier way to live.”

All trainers emphasized the importance of classes and small group training for not only variety but motivation and accountability.

“If someone has been exercising but just lacks motivation or has hit a plateau, then I strongly recommend group classes or personal training,” McKay said. “This will help someone stay motivated and give their body something new. Workout with a friend; make yourself accountable.”

Morgan echoed those sentiments.

“I recommend classes, not only for accountability but to improve form and technique. It’s like having a personal trainer. And many people get lost in the gym or get bored.”

Without classes or small group training, Morgan said, people can fall through the cracks and not get connected to their gym. She said participation is essential to keep people going and to help them push through plateaus.

The trainers also said they want their clients to enjoy their classes so they yearn to come back for more. “Always set reasonable goals,” McKay said. “And when you make your goals, reward yourself for the hard work you have done.”

“You get to fellowship [through Jazzercise], your self-confidence goes up, and you get an overall sense of well-being, which will make your life happier and more fulfilling,” Miller said. “It’s really all about quality of life.”

“Yes, it’s exercise, but it’s therapy as well – a release you need on so many levels,” Morgan said.

Fit Nation will open its Fit Nation Studios this spring in Twelve Oaks in Shreveport. Morgan said they intend to include programming for children ages 6 and older.

In addition, The Gym runs monthly specials. And Miller hopes to add more classes in the future to accommodate more clients’ schedules.

To find out more about Fit Nation, The Gym and Jazzercise, visit their respective websites at www.fit-nation.net, www.thegym-shreveport.com and www.jazzercise.com.