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An Introduction to Heart Rate Monitors
A heart rate monitor is a contraption which lets users of fitness machines take note of their own pulse rate while training. The heart rate monitor typically comprises two constituents - a receiver and a strap. The strap applies electrodes to...

Flu Prevention and the Gym Member
Health officials' warning this month of a potentially harsh flu season should be a red flag to avid aerobic-bunnies and gym-jocks alike. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that the flu is transmitted when flu virus in the air is inhaled...

For Fun and Fitness, Pool is Everybody’s Game
(ARA) - From passionate professional to recreational wheelchair player and everything in between, pool promotes mental and physical well-being. Mark Twain once wrote in a letter, "I walk not less than 10 miles around the billiard table . . ."...

How to Avoid Using Your Home Gym as a Clothes Rack
So here’s the situation… You have a home gym, treadmill, elliptical trainer, or some other piece of home fitness equipment. But it’s sitting in the corner of the room being used as a clothes rack. You haven’t gotten any use out of it for...

What is Self Mastery? - Part 2
To continue with our overview of the physical component of self mastery, it goes without saying that walking is a valuable aerobic exercise - but you have options. You can use a bicycle for nice days, or use indoor aerobic exercise equipment for use...

 
The Best Fat-Burning Exercise for Couch Potatoes

If you're a committed couch potato, it's no good pretending you are going to get yourself to the gym five days a week starting from Monday.

As much as I would like to give you a whole gym routine to perform - a balanced blend of cardio, strength training and stretches - I know that this is too much for most people to cope with in one fell swoop.

The amount of effort involved may be so alien and overwhelming that you would not begin at all or you might very well follow the routine this week or this month then quit defeated and retire to your couch vowing never to exercise again. To go from couch potato to regular gym-goer overnight takes a will of iron (or a personal trainer on hand to keep you hard at work for every session).

Instead, I advise baby steps for couch potatoes - literally - because the very best fat burning exercise for beginners is to put one foot in front of the other - it's walking.

You can start at any level. You can walk anywhere (even around your home). You can walk with anyone - take your dog, your partner, your kids or go it alone (as long as you keep to safe places). You need no special equipment other than your normal clothes and a comfortable pair of shoes. You don't have to get to the gym, get changed and showered afterwards. You can fit it into your day easily even during your lunch break. Check with your doctor if


there's any doubt about your health but there are very few who would not benefit from walking.

Start with as little as 10 minutes (or even 5) a day. It doesn't matter - everyone has to start somewhere. Make it easy for yourself to get the walking habit by starting gently then very gradually increase your distance and your speed. You'll feel the benefit in your fitness levels very quickly as you do so.

Right from the start you'll be burning additional calories every minute you walk and you'll gradually reach the optimum level of exercise for fat burning too - it only takes walking at a moderate to brisk pace for 25 to 30 minutes or so to be in the right range for burning fat.

You'll be amazed at how good a few minutes walking makes you feel about yourself if you don't usually exercise. And it's a very simple way to get the exercise bug. Who knows - before long you may be hankering to try the gym too!

Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small

About the author:

Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach, slimming club owner and author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Her system promotes permanent healthy and automatic weight loss through making small changes to your everyday habits. Get her FREE 15 page report "How to lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.com TODAY!

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