by Ann E. Smith

Created on: August 07, 2008

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions globally, with one in every three US citizens being classified as obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems. (www.cdc.gov.).

While the health risks associated with obesity include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, to name a few, the good news is that obesity is a condition that can be reversed with proper diet and exercise.

A key contributor to obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. If an obese person wants to take responsibility for better health, a key thing for him to do immediately is to start moving more. It could begin with things like moving around the house more, or parking a bit farther from a grocery store entrance to include more walking.

Optimal would be an exercise plan. Since an obese person may have some health challenges, it's key to consult a doctor before starting an exercise regimen, especially if the person already has high blood pressure or diabetes.

For an obese person who is not yet suffering other issues associated with this condition, a safe exercise to start with is walking. Walking is great for everyone, and it is something that a person can do at his own pace and also gradually build upon both in terms of speed and distance.

An obese person could start with walking a short distance, such as around the block, but commit to that walk daily. After a week or two, he can add to that by another block, over time reaching longer destinations and exercise times.

Obese people need to be careful about not getting too hot, so walking on the treadmill is another great option. Also, since an overweight person is putting more weight on his joints, a treadmill is ideal in that its cushioning is less hard on the joints than outdoor pavement.

Other safe exercises for an obese person include some beginning strength building exercises. One example is basics abdominal exercises, where a person lies on the floor with knees bent and feet on the ground, and uses his abdominal muscles to lift his chest, neck and head up, and then returns his chest back to the floor. Starting with 10 repetitions of this exercise is doable, and then that number can be increased over time.

Another wise move for an overweight person who is on the road to better health through exercise is to consult a personal trainer and have that person help him figure out the appropriate weight training exercises. There are a few machines that work major muscles such as the thighs, and they are great for beginners.

The main thing for an overweight person to do when getting started is not to push himself too hard, and not to get discouraged too easily. The road to better health and more stamina while exercising is a journey, but one that will provide great benefits including a healthier body weight.

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