The 5 Things You Should Know About Exercise

By Erica Gentner

Every one of us knows that they should exercise. The problem when kickstarting your own weight loss program is not what to do, so much as how to do it. Throughout the process of losing weight, I have discovered five important aspects of exercising that are a crucial part of weight loss, and when used together, can lead to a great workout that will knock the pounds off of anybody.

Intense Cardio

When it comes to shedding pounds and keeping up a healthy heart, nothing can be said for cardio exercise. If you are the type of person that measures how well your weight loss is going by how much you sweat, then make sure to include this type of workout into your program. This includes walking, running, bicycling, swimming, etc. Anything that's gets the heart pumping and makes your lungs work harder, is definitely something to include. Thirty minutes a day is said to be plenty to get your body going, and when you begin to lose weight you will be able to add on to this time. In fact I recommend an hour to an hour and a half for a really great workout, but it is best to start slowly so as not to overload the body.

Muscle Toning

Even though cardio is something you can't exercise without, it is also very necessary to include some muscle toning. Muscle is better at burning calories than fat, so the faster you convert that fat into muscle, the closer you will be to your ideal weight. There are multiple ways to tone your muscles, including leg lifts for your thighs, bicep curls, pull ups, push ups, etc., and they can be used in many different ways to maximize fat burn.

Crunches vs. Sit-ups

It was said years ago that sit-ups tend to make your back ache and give you muscle cramps without necessarily toning your stomach. Then the world discovered crunches. A similar maneuver to sit-ups, crunches tend to burn fat better and lessen any back aches that may be associated with toning your stomach. (If done correctly) Even if you encounter mild back pain, the benefits of crunches far outweigh the pain that might come up. You can do crunches from all sides of your stomach to get that belly in shape, all the while decreasing your appetite because of a smaller stomach. So essentially you kill two birds with one stone.

Music Will Set You Free

No one ever said you had to be in complete silence when you exercise. A good beat can liven up any activity, and by listening to some tunes, you almost forget that you are exercising. Now I know that some people like to listen to the sounds around them when they exercise, but not everybody can clear their mind enough to help with the pain. Yes, exercise will start out painful, but it will get easier the more that you do it. Music is a great tool to use in overcoming the pain and the doubts because it helps you ignore your body, which will be putting up a fight against the exercise. Remember your body isn't use to this yet, and it will try to stop any change that you are trying to make even if it is for your benefit. Music is your best friend in this battle, so put on those head phones and shake it until you sweat.

Exercise Can Make You Gain

In closing, I just want to remind you that exercise is the key if you want to maximize your weight loss effort. However, there will come a time when exercise will cause you to gain weight, but when this happens it is actually a good thing. Muscle weighs more than fat, so when you gain it means that you are successfully converting fat into muscle, which will then lead to more significant weight loss. So if you do see yourself gaining, remind yourself that your fat is becoming muscle and you are on your way to faster, more efficient weight loss.

Erica Gentner has finally overcome her weight problem, and is sharing her story with others in hopes that they will also become inspired to lose weight. To read about other tips and tricks on weight loss, and to read more about Erica's story, visit her blog at: http://forfasthealthyweightloss.blogspot.com