Obesity is now considered an epidemic in the US and is a leading cause of preventable death, even over cigarette smoking. It increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Losing weight through a healthy diet and exercise can significantly improve health and quality of life. Exercise is vital for weight loss for several reasons - it elevates metabolism, burns more calories, and releases endorphins that improve mood. While exercise does not need to involve intense workouts, it is important to raise your heart rate to a fat-burning level for at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week to see health benefits. Finding enjoyable ways to be active like walking, dance classes,

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Obesityisnowbeingcalledanepidemicinthe healthcommunity.Infact,itwill soonbe the leading
cause of preventabledeathinthe UnitedStates,evenaheadof cigarette smoking.Obesityleadstotype
twodiabetes,highbloodpressure,heartdisease orstroke andevenanincreasedriskof cancer.Withall
of these healthrisks,aswell asthe general improvementinthe qualityof life thatcanoccur, losing
weightisone of the bestthingsthat youcan do for yourself.
No matterwhatwe wouldlike to believe,theresimplyisn’tamagicsolutiontolosingweight.The body
will shedexcessfatwhenitneedsmore caloriestofunctionthroughthe demandsyouplace onitina
givendaythan the amountof caloriesthatyoufeedit.It’sthat simple.So,inordertolose weight,you
needtodecrease the numberof caloriesthatyoueat as well asincrease the amountthatyou burn.
There isa wide range of optionstochoose fromwhenlookingforaweightlossprogram.All of them
oftenspendalot of time explainingwhattoeat,inwhatamountsand evenat whattimesor inwhat
combinations.Butfewof thememphasize the importanceof exercise –notjustfor losingweight,but
for yourgeneral healthandwellbeing.Exercise isvital whentryingtolose weightforseveral reasons:
First,as youstart to eat less,yourmetabolismwillslow downsomewhat.Exercisinghelpstoelevate
your metabolismbacktoan efficientlevel. Second,asmentioned,exercise burnsmore caloriessothat
youcan lose weightfasterand staymotivatedinyourefforts. Third,exercise actuallyreleases
endorphins,chemicalsthatkeepyourmoodelevated.
Exercise doesn’thave tomeanspendinghoursatthe gym or strainingthroughexhaustingworkouts.In
fact, inorderfor youto stick with iton the longrun,exercisingshouldbe somethingthatyouenjoy.
Start by increasingyouractivitylevel inanoverall way.Take the stairswhenyoucan.Park furtherfrom
the mall door whenyougo shopping.Gofora walkin the park or througha neighborhoodyoulove and
bringa dog or a friendalongforcompany.Take dance or martial arts lessons.
Once you become more active ingeneral,you’ll finditeasierandmore natural tomove intoregular
exercise.Whichyou’ll needtodoeventuallyinorderto getregular,noticeable healthbenefits.Youneed
to raise yourheart rate to a fatburninglevel andkeepitthere forat least20 minutes,3 timesormore a
week.However,if youdon’twantto goto a gym, there are other options.VideosandDVDsare now
available inall kindsof exercise types.Thatwayyoucan change your routine wheneveryouwantsothat
youdon’tget boredwithwhatyou’re doing.Trya range of aerobics,kickboxing,yoga,orprettymuch
any activityyouwantrightin the comfortof yourownhome.

2. If you have physical limitationsthatwouldkeepyouoff fromexercising,youcanstill findawayto
increase youractivitylevel.Wateraerobicsisawonderful optionforthose whohave jointproblemsor
limitedmobilitybecause itrelievesthe pressure onyourbodythatyour weightprovides.Butyoustill
getthe resistance tochallenge yourmusclesfromthe water.There are evenclassesandvideosavailable
that letyouexercise inaseatedposition.
Whateverkindof exercise youchoose,it’simportanttostaymotivatedandkeepitfun.Trygatheringa
grouptogetherto make ita social event.Orgeta pedometer,adevice thattrackshow far you walk,and
see howmanymilesyoucan walka week.Make a competitionamongstyourfriendsorfamilymembers
and treatthe winnerwithsomethingspecial (notfoodrelated!).Make the experience of exercising
somethingthatyoulookforwardto,and it will soonbecome aregularpartof yourhealthierlifestyle.