WHY SHOULD YOU EXERCISE?

Exercise is a key component to losing weight. This is nothing new but
amazingly, very few people find time to do something that's so
important to the body. Modern society emphasizes ease and comfort
and we forget that THE HUMAN body is design to run, move, lift and
exert energy.

Hundreds of years ago, there were no cars, airplanes, elevators or
televisions. Few office jobs existed and people burned a lot of
energy just doing daily tasks. The body was meant for daily
exercise. Unfortunately, very few manage to exercise regularly.

Regular exercise not only burns extra calories but it also makes your
body more efficient at burning fat. As a result, your daily metabolism
will be significantly higher.

The good news is exercise does not have to be strenuous to lose
weight. A brisk walk for 30 minutes or more is one of the best exercise
you can do. If you have young kids and leaving the house is a problem,
consider riding a stationary bike. Swimming and stationary bikes are
great for people who suffer from chronic back or joint pain because
these activities exert the least amount of pressure on the back
and joints.

There are other ways to exercise such as aerobic dancing to your
favorite video or playing sports. Swimming is an excellent way to stay
in shape and burn lots of calories. Have you ever seen an amateur or
professional swimmer with an ounce of body fat?


I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EXERCISE!!!


(1) Schedule regular time to exercise in the morning or during your
lunch break. The best time is after waking up. An early morning routine
keeps the hectic pace of life from stealing your time. Another good
time saver is to walk 3 to 4 times a week during your lunch break
with a friend.

(2) Find ways to make it fun. If you use the stationary bike, then ride
while watching your favorite television program. Try out an amusing
aerobic exercise video. Enlist your neighbor or spouse to take daily
walks. Take the dog for a regular ½ hour walk. Once your dog gets in
the habit of walking with you, they beg for that special time to spend
with you.

(3) Consider alternating your exercise routine with walking twice a
week, stationary bike riding once a week and aerobic dance video once
a week. This gives you different ways to exercise. The key is to
SCHEDULE YOUR TIME IN ADVACE, preferably in the morning.



THINGS TO REMEMBER

(1) Regular exercise is important to losing weight and keeping it off.
It's not an overnight process. It takes months before you see results.

(2) Exercise must become a priority in your life. You MUST commit
30 to 50 minutes per day, 4 times a week.

(3) Exercise should not be strenuous. If it is, you won't do it!

(4) Exercise heals the mind and body. Regular exercise will make you
FEEL BETTER physically and emotionally.