If you want to burn calories, move. If you
want to burn even more calories, move
more. It’s pretty much that simple. Here, we go into a little more
depth.
The cool thing about burning calories is
that the possibilities are almost endless.
You don’t even have to sweat.
You can go long — as in duration — but
with low intensity, just moving a lot
throughout the day. Or if a bit of
perspiration doesn’t turn you off, you
can burn a lot of calories with short,
high-intensity activity — if you can
handle it.
A balanced program includes aerobic
activities to help burn calories, and
strength training, core stability exercises and stretching to make your activities
safe and more effective.
Be flexible in your planning. Create a
routine that fits your schedule and
interests. Maybe you can walk for an
hour on most days and do strength
exercises for 20 minutes three times a
week. Do what works for you.
Once you’re in the habit, exercising
regularly will feel comfortable. You
may look forward to the break from
other obligations. And remember, you
don’t have to do your daily exercises all
at one time.
Schedule time for rest in your routine.
Your body needs to recover between
exercise sessions. Alternate between
low-intensity and higher intensity
exercise from day to day.
KEY POINTS
Whether you go with low-intensity physical
activity or full-blown exercise, remember
these key points:
-Start with activities that match your
current fitness level and build at a
reasonable pace to a higher level.
-In building up, first increase the
frequency of your exercise (number
of days a week), then as you become
more fit, the duration (length of each
activity session), and finally the
intensity (how hard you’re working).
-Make it fun, or you won’t stick with
your program.
-Keep activity in balance with the rest
of your life (but make it an important
part of that balance).
