Obesity in the United States is a growing concern. Many overweight people want to lose weight but get easily discouraged and give up when little to no results come out of their workout routine. Some tend to get embarrassed and find it difficult to work out in a gym. The key is starting simple, setting realistic goals, and have some patients. Talking to a doctor is a good idea to first find out what is safe for you.

The number one recommended safe workout for obese and overweight people is walking. It really is that simple. By starting with at least 30 minutes of walking a day you can start to see results in as little as a week. By walking at a slower pace for a longer time obese people actually burn more calories than walking at a faster pace. With walking there is little chance of injury and so many body healthy benefits. After a while you can start to incorporate small weights to your walking for a little added intensity to your workout.

For overweight people who have a lot of joint problems many exercise routines can cause more pain than necessary. This may be where water aerobics can help significantly. Being in the water causes less stress on your joints and muscles and still burns major calories. One of the best parts about water aerobics is the different levels and classes to choose from. Perfect for any age and size; it can also be great for injuries, and post-op rehabilitation and you don't even have to know how to swim. Who wouldn't want to get a two hour workout in thirty minutes?

For those of you who do not live near a gym, or if the weather does not permit outdoor exercise don't be afraid try a good at home workout. There are plenty of VHS and DVD's that are safe and effective. Try looking for special exercise videos for overweight, obese, seniors and handicapped. The pace is usually slow and relaxed and many exercises can be done sitting or standing. Exercising at home can be a great start to getting you into good shape without spending money on public aerobic classes. For those who would still like to try walking as a form of exercise, there are plenty of at home walking videos on the market too!

Learn more about this author, Kay D. Sadell.
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