by D. Trump

Created on: February 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Exercise is essential to good health. It helps you lose weight, look better, and most importantly feel better. It has been proven that regular exercise can be as effective at increasing mood as taking anti-depressants. Whatever the reason you choose to start a new exercise program, rest assured, it will improve your life and will be worth the effort.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when starting a new exercise program:

-Start slow. No need to overwork yourself when starting out. If you work too hard when your body is not used to it, you will get really sore and it could prevent you from working out the next day, or even ever again.

-Do not focus on just cardio or weight training. Both of them are essential to a well-balanced workout. Some people focus on cardio to lose weight, but never do any weightlifting. Weightlifting is essential to losing weight because bigger muscles burn more calories regularly. If you add even a little bit of muscle mass to your body, you will find it easier to lose weight and keep the weight off.

-Do a variety of exercises. Your body will get used to the same exercises if you do them over and over again, if you add variety, your body will have to work harder, and you will see more results.

-If you have never used a certain machine before, watch someone else go on it and take note of their form. This will also give you some new ideas of exercises that you never even knew existed before.

-Do not neglect your diet. So many people work so hard and never see any results because they do not eat right. If you are trying to lose weight, decrease your daily calorie intake, and eat foods that are lower in fat and easier for your body to process. If you are trying to gain weight, increase calorie intake and eat higher protein foods.

Remember- keep a positive outlook, be patient, and don't give up. It may take some time to get results, but once you do, it will change your life.

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