Learning to eat properly to meet your individual needs is very important to any weight-loss program. However, it's also essential that you exercise regularly to maximize the benefits.

Exercise is a necessity to stimulate the body's fat-burning mechanism. I'm not talking about a no-pain, no-gain exercise program that will fall by the wayside as quickly as you start it. Instead I am talking about an ongoing natural aerobic exercise program that will greatly improve your energy levels, stamina and endurance, while helping you to lose excess body fat, and tone aerobic muscles.

Aerobic exercise differs greatly from anaerobic no-pain, no-gain activities like fast running, weight-lifting and "aerobics classes." In fact, aerobics classes are often anaerobic exercise due to the intensity at which they are conducted. The main difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is that when you perform aerobic exercise your body predominantly uses fat as a fuel. However, when you do anaerobic exercises you will mostly burn sugar.

Moreover, when you perform aerobic exercise, you program your body to burn more fat as a fuel for all your activities, from working to sleeping. On the other hand, anaerobic exercise programs your body to burn more sugar and less fat. So if you want to burn fat and lose weight, think slow and easy when it comes to exercise.

Even if you've never been active, aerobic exercise is easy and simple. It can be done with a simple 29-minute walk a minimum of five times per week. You can do this on your way to work, or on your way home, as part of your lunch break or anytime. It can be performed walking indoors or outdoors. Or you can use a treadmill or stationary bike, either in your home or at the gym. A simple aerobic workout will easily fit into your current work schedule and requires no special equipment, clothing or gear.

If you already have been exercising, or wish to pursue a more advanced exercise program, you may want to use a heart-rate monitor to ensure your heart rate is not exceeding your aerobic "fat-burning zone." Exercising above the proper heart rate may result in more stress and the risk of overtraining, which can have adverse effects on long-term fat-burning. As you progress with your aerobic workouts you may find that you want to increase the duration of your exercise. Expanding your exercise program to longer durations will only increase the benefits of health and weight loss.

Dr. Phil Maffetone

MAF BioNutrionals

http://www.MAFGroup.com

This page was last edited on 06/03/2004