Facts about Fitness and Weight Loss

People often jump into new weight loss programs without considering all the facts. They try popular diet programs, exercise classes and fads like the latest yoga or dancing techniques yet fail to take a good look at what exactly is needed for long-term weight loss; i.e. weight that goes off and stays off. So consider these tips before you jump into your next plan or even continue along with the one you’re currently participating in:

1) Studies show that everyone needs to exercise, with a doctor’s approval, that is. Unfortunately only about 29% of the adult population finds time to work in the thirty minutes of recommended daily physical activity in the USA, and another 24+% are not even active. So it you think fitness is not important, thank again.

2) Being unfit; i.e. inactive is considered one of the main reasons that we’re seeing such a large increase in type 2 diabetes across the USA (refer to the June 2003 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism). Inactivity plus obesity help promote insulin resistance and other factors that can result in diseases. So get fit!

3) One of the easiest, most effective ways to improve your health, including lowering blood glucose levels and reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease is …you guessed it: getting fit with exercise. However, more and more sedentary jobs keep opening up as we increase work-at-home opportunities, leaving fitness and exercise out of the picture.

4) Good news! It is never too late to get moving. Exercise is one of the easiest ways to start controlling the onset of any kind of disease. For people who are already candidates for some serious diseases like diabetes and heart failure, exercise and physical fitness can improve your insulin sensitivity, lower your risk for heart disease, as well as promoting weight loss. Even if you do not lose weight, your investment in exercise is still paying off in reduced heart disease risk and better blood glucose control.

Plus exercise can just make you feel better, both physically and mentally. Your energy level will rise and the endorphins released by your brain during exercise will boost your sense of well-being.

The motivating factor here is this: don't give up before you  get started. So get started exercising if you are not already. And keep at it regularly for optimal health.

09:16 - 7/3/2007