I’m tired of hearing about how I should be exercising every day and seeing pictures of perfect models in tights doing workouts. Aren’t there fast exercises for real people?
Sure there are. Getting exercise for your body doesn’t mean you need to have fancy clothing or a set routine. Have something heavy to pick up? Lift it and lower it a couple of extra times for an impromptu weight-training session. Do you have an elevator at the office? Choose the stairs instead. If you have stairs at home, use them as exercise tools and walk up and down them a few times a day . Get outside and take a walk with the dog or leave the bus behind and travel by foot. Put on some music and dance with your kids. The trick is to find fun things that you can implement in your lifestyle.
I really need to lose some weight. How much can I expect to lose if I exercise a half-hour every day?
Most people’s bodies don’t lose more than five pounds of weight a week when put through a consistent weight-loss exercise routine. If you really work hard at exercising, you may lose more in the first couple of weeks, but generally, weight loss stabilizes to five pounds a week and often, less. Losing two pounds a week through a consistent weight-loss exercise program is a realistic goal. Slow but sure wins the race and makes exercising become a habit in your life.
I’m pregnant and eating all the time. Am I going to gain a lot of weight?
Being pregnant does tend to increase the appetite, as your body begins placing demands to help your baby grow. The foods you choose to eat while you’re pregnant and how you’ll eat them is important. You may crave certain foods, but there’s no need to gorge. Indulge yourself in reasonable portions, and do make sure to choose healthy foods over less nutritional ones. Eat small portions of good food often and have healthy snacks handy - a hungry stomach begs for fats and salt
Which exercise style is best?
There are many different ways to exercise and it’s hard to say that one is better than the other. What’s important is that you’re physically active. Whether you get your exercise by playing sports each week or by doing Pilates or weight training makes no difference. If you’re looking to develop muscles or strength, different types of exercise develop different things about your body. A physical trainer can give you good advice about what activity you should choose. Otherwise, if you just want to stay in shape, find an activity or exercise you enjoy and have fun with.