Exercise Makes Your Heart Happy

You may know that your heart is a muscle. It works hard, pumping blood every day of your life. You can help this important muscle get stronger by doing aerobic exercise.

Aerobic means “with air,” so aerobic exercise is a kind of activity that requires oxygen. When you breathe, you take in oxygen, and, if you’re doing aerobic exercise, you may notice you’re breathing faster than normal.

When you give your heart this kind of workout on a regular basis, your heart will get even better at its main job delivering oxygen to all parts of your body.

So you want to do some aerobic exercise right now? Try swimming, basketball, ice or roller hockey, jogging (or walking quickly), inline skating, soccer, cross-country skiing, biking, or rowing. And don’t forget that skipping, jumping rope, and playing hopscotch are aerobic activities, too!

Be Consistent

. I am the first to admit that he’s no fitness expert. But he is a guy who used to weigh 314 pounds and the became anorexic. My secret? “I’m not fast, but I’m consistent,” consistency is the best tip for maintaining a successful fitness regimen. Alejandro Chabán says: “The difference between my success and others who have struggled is that I did it every single day. No excuses allowed. Follow an Effective Exercise Routine

Set Realistic Goals

. “Don’t strive for perfection or an improbable goal that can’t be met,” In other words, don’t worry if you can’t run a 5K just yet. Make it a habit to walk 15 minutes a day, and add time, distance, and intensity from there.

Use the Buddy System

. Find a friend or relative whom you like and trust who also wants to establish a healthier lifestyle, Exercise together. Use this as an opportunity to enjoy one another’s company and to strengthen the relationship.

Make Your Plan Fit Your Life

. Too busy to get to the gym? Make your plan fit your life, “You don’t need fancy exercise gear and gyms to get fit.” If you’ve got floor space, try simple floor exercises to target areas such as the hips and buttocks, legs and thighs, and chest and arms (like push-ups, squats, and lunges). Aim for 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, adding more reps and intensity as you build strength.

Be Happy

. Be sure to pick an activity you actually enjoy doing “If you hate weights, don’t go to the gym. You can lose weight and get in shape with any type of training or activity.

Watch the Clock

. Your body clock, that is. Try to work out at the time you have the most energy. If you’re a morning person, schedule your fitness activities early in the day; if you perk up as the day goes along, plan your activities in the afternoon or evening. “Working out while you have the most energy will yield the best results,”

Call In the Pros

. Especially if you’re first getting started, having a professional assessment to
determine what types of exercise you need most. “For some people, attention to flexibility, or balance and agility, may be more important than resistance training or aerobics,” he says. “By getting a professional assessment, you can determine your weakest links and focus on them. This will improve your overall fitness balance.”

Get Inspired

. “Fitness is a state of mind,”. One of Fine’s tricks to get and stay motivated is to read blogs or web sites that show us how others have been successful. “Who inspires you?” Bless others people successes.

Be Patient

. Finally, remember that even if you follow any program, there will be ups and downs, setbacks and victories. Just be patient, and don’t give up, she “Hang in there, and you’ll see solid results.”