Meal replacement shakes like Herbalife and Shakeology are making a comeback. Could this rising trend help you lose weight?

Weight loss doesn't happen instantly, but if your goal is to get your weight down to 150 pounds, getting regular exercise is important. Your caloric intake is also a key part of the equation -- although the exact number of calories you should consume per day depends on a long list of criteria.

Bicycling is a popular, low-impact exercise that can help you accomplish your fitness goals. Cycling will tone and strengthen your muscles and thereby increase your metabolic rate, allowing you to burn more calories, even while at rest.

The calories you burn in any given period of time depend on what you are doing, your gender and your weight. Your physical condition also affects the rate at which your body burns calories, because your body needs more calories to maintain muscle than it does to maintain fat and other tissue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 35 percent of American adults are obese. Obesity puts you at greater risk for health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn.

Hiking is an opportunity to witness wildlife, nature and majestic views while participating in physical activity. You can find trails to hike in suburban wooded parks, state parks or national forests with the trails ranging in distance from one to several hundred miles.

Weight-loss is a fairly simple process involving a moderate daily caloric restriction and increased physical activity. To lose weight, you need to achieve a negative energy balance, or a state in which the calories you expend through activity exceeds the number of calories you consume through food.

If you're trying to be more active to improve your health or to lose weight, counting steps provides you with a measurable, motivational goal. Plus, all you need to get started are comfortable shoes and a pedometer.

Badminton is primarily an anaerobic sport, which means that your body burns your stored energy as fuel. Badminton is a high-energy sport, so playing it for one hour is a good way to burn calories.

Calories are to your body what gasoline is to a car -- fuel. Calories are important to keep your organs functioning, muscles moving and metabolism blazing. If you eat too many calories, then you may increase your risk of certain health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Running is an effective form of exercise that enables you to burn calories, reduce stress and improve your health. The best part about running is that almost anyone can do it, regardless of ability or endurance level. All you need is a pair of running shoes.

Columbia University estimates that you need to burn 3,500 calories for every 1 pound you want to lose. If you burn 1,500 calories in one day, you could lose 1 pound in less than three days.