One of the most important things you can do to lose weight is to
exercise
regularly. Exercise increases your metabolism, burns excess
calories, and
increases your muscle mass, which in turn burns more calories.
Here are a few steps you should take when you are starting an
exercise
routine:
Check with your doctor. Before you start any exercise program,
be sure to
consult with your doctor. This is especially important if you
have been
physically inactive for a long period of time or have health
issues that
could pose a problem. You should stop exercising and consult
with your health
care provider if you experience any chest discomfort or pain,
dizziness,
severe headaches, or other unusual symptoms while you are
working out. If the
pain does not go away, seek medical attention immediately.
Start slowly. Exercising too hard or trying to do too much too
quickly in the
beginning can lead to burnout, serious injuries, and
frustration. Instead,
you should gradually begin to increase the intensity of your
workout.
Add some variety to your workout. Don't limit yourself to a
single workout
routine. Experiment with different forms of exercise to see
which ones appeal
to you. If you belong to a health club, try using different
exercise
machines, such as a bicycle, treadmill, and cross trainer, each
day. Not only
will you be adding variety to your workout, you will also be
making sure that
you exercise different muscle groups each time.
Track your progress. Keep an activity log of your physical
activity in order
to track your progress. Record when you worked out, what type of
activities
you did, the duration of your workout, and how you felt during
your workout.
Make your workout as enjoyable as possible. Try to make your
workout as
enjoyable as possible. Try wearing headphones and listen to
energizing music
while you work out. Invite a friend or co-worker to join you on
a brisk walk.
This will give you someone to talk to while you exercise and
will also
provide you with encouragement on days when you're feeling
unmotivated.
