Aerobic Exercise for Losing Weight
By Lisa Balbach
If you are mainly interested in weight loss, you must begin some type of
aerobic exercise program. Aerobic exercise can include:
Aerobic classes
Jogging
Swimming
Bicycling
Fast walking
In-Line Skating
Cross Country Skiing
Etc...
With aerobic exercise, the goal is to get your heart rate into the target zone
(50-85% of your maximum) and sustain that pace for an extended period of time.
The length of the exercise and the intensity level you choose depend upon
your own level of fitness. To view a fitness training schedule, select your
fitness level from the three listed below:
Fitness Level 1 - You rarely exercise
Fitness Level 2 - You exercise aerobically at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week.
Fitness Level 3 - You exercise aerobically at least 30 minutes, 4 or more times a week.
In addition to burning calories and aiding in weight reduction,
aerobic exercise has many other benefits including:
- Working the heart and lungs
- Relieving stress
- Increasing lean muscle mass and decreasing body fat when done on a long term basis
- Increasing energy levels
No matter what your fitness level is or what your goals are, you will look and feel
better when you regularly participate in an exercise program. To be successful,
you must incorporate it into your lifestyle (just like eating and sleeping).
Remember to consult your physician prior to beginning
a new exercise program!.
Back to Determining an Exercise Program