Daily we hear statements like, ?Every 33 seconds an American dies of cardiovascular disease? or ?more than 62% of Americans are considered obese.? These statements may stir up urgency in many people, as they should, to try to avoid the pain, suffering and disease caused by obesity. Losing weight and getting fit can be the struggle of your lifetime. The need to change your lifestyle by eating healthier and exercising more can be difficult, but not impossible. Undeniably, it is true; the ?Time to Exercise? is now.



?What time is the best time to exercise?? The answer to that question is, ?the time when you are most likely to follow through and do the activity or exercise?. Notice, I added the word, ?activity?. The word ?exercise? can have a negative connotation to some. You may immediately think of pain, tiredness, embarrassment, etc. Those are the types of exercises you don't want to be doing, the ones that you don't like. Instead, find activities that burn more calories, cause you to increase your heart rate, breathe harder and break a sweat! Try fun activities like, bike riding, inline skating or swimming. Whatever you would enjoy doing the most. Maybe it's just walking. That's great! Our bodies were designed to walk. You can socialize with a friend while you walk or listen to music and books on tape (health, fitness and weight loss topics would be very helpful to keep you on track). Many communities have built trails for such activities and can provide a new path for your activity/exercise endeavors.

?How much time should I exercise for?? This answer depends on many factors. You need to consider your current health status and fitness level. Always check with your physician before beginning an exercise program and follow his/her recommendations. Your current fitness level may only allow you to walk for 10 minutes to start. That's a start. You can gradually add more time to your program as you become able and work your self up to 30 minutes or more a day. Just do it (as Nike says). Get yourself into the habit of taking the time for your self and just do it. It takes about 21 times to establish a pattern or habit, so you may have to force yourself in the beginning. After the habit is established, the habit will remind you every day to just do it. Once you begin to experience the benefits that exercise is providing, it will become a more desired, looked forward to time of your day. Look for benefits like; weight loss, feeling of well being, clearer thinking and better sleep. Not to mention; improved immunity, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and eventual lessening of needed medications.

?I just don't have any time to exercise.? Many people think they just don't have any time in their daily schedule to devote to personal exercise. I say, ?Where there is a will, there is a way!? You must find the time! Try to find at least 30 minutes a day. I used to take my lunch to a park near my workplace and walk during my lunch time. I would eat my lunch while driving to and from the park. Can you stop by the park on your way home from work? Can you get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to exercise then? If the weather is bad, could you walk around the indoor mall, walk the perimeter of the grocery store (before you pick up the milk and bread), or invest in a treadmill or recumbent stationary bike? I have a recumbent stationary bike in my living room that I use while I watch TV with my family. I can also work my upper body with weights at the same time! There is something about being able to stay in the same room as my family is in that encourages me to ?just do it!?