Health Tips

Eating less, or cutting back on fat in your diet, won't necessarily keep fat off.  What you really need to do is strike a good balance between the number of calories you consume and the number you burn.  And the only way to do that is to exercise.

Don't groan!  By exercising, you can lose more fat while you eat more calories than if you simply went on a diet.  Regular physical activity is much more effective at keeping the weight off in the long run than any diet.

One choice is aerobic (cardiovascular) exercise:
With aerobic exercise, you can lose fat without drastically reducing the calories you consume or sacrificing important nutritional needs.  One reason for this is because aerobic exercise not only elevates your metabolism while you're exercising, it can also keep it elevated even after you're done, depending of course on how long and how strong you exercise.

You've probably heard about exercise programs that actually turn your body into a "fat-burning machine."  Aerobics can do that.  An aerobic program you stick with can help you lose fat easier because it can stimulate your body and make it burn calories.

If you're just getting started, begin with as little as 15 minutes of low- impact aerobics three times a week.  Gradually increase to 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity four times a week.

Strength training = successful weight (fat) management:
Your muscles burn calories during physical activity.  What you may not know is your muscles also burn calories when your body is at rest.  Increase your muscle mass, and you'll be increasing your body's capacity to burn calories both during activity and at rest.

Add to that the research that shows diets that restrict calories substantially can cause the loss of lean muscle mass, along with the loss of fat.  By incorporating strength training into your activity program, as well as following a moderate diet, you'll be able to maintain lean muscle mass while you lose fat.

Success also means good eating and good exercise:
Follow a moderate low-fat diet and an exercise program that combines aerobic activity and strength training.  That's the key to losing fat - and keeping it off.

Begin slowly with exercises you find comfortable and build as your body becomes accustomed to the activity level.  Don't start out too hard or too fast.  Chances are you may injure yourself or quit before you've done yourself much good.

And remember, you can't lose fat overnight.  Set a realistic fat-loss goal for yourself - like one to two pounds a week - eat healthy, get going on a program of regular physical activity, and you'll be delighted by what you accomplish.

Maintaining a lower, healthier bodyfat level is something YOU CAN accomplish.  So start now and keep on going!

This article was provided by ACE, The American Council on Exercise.  For more helpful articles and resources to help you reach your fitness goals, please go to http://www.acefitness.org.
 

For more GREAT Fitness info, visit:
American College of Sports Medicine
American Council on Exercise
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
Health Mag.
Muscle & Fitness - Hers

Exercise with your Friends
Commitments made, as part of a group, tend to be stronger than those made independently. The stimulus of the group often provides the incentive to continue during periods of flagging interest...
-From ACSM Fitness Book, Third Edition

At Jazzercise, not only do we bring in our friends, we make GREAT friends here! We ALL need YOU during this wonderful, yet stressful, time of year. See you at class!!!

For more health tips visit the official Jazzercise site at http://www.jazzercise.com

If you have any questions please consult your physician.