With the advent of modern technologies the days of spending time of manually tilling the soil or hunting for food have disappeared for most of us. The human body was intended to run across open savannas and chase down fast moving animals. Now the only running the body does it from the dining room table to the living room couch. The only chasing that takes pace happens in our automobiles as we race to work so we can sit down at a desk.
In the past in the United States on an average day a farmer would cover the distance of a 15 mile run and his wife the equivalent of a 7 mile jog. Now the exercise is considered part of our ‘leisure’ time and must be planned for if done at all.
Most experts agree that America is facing an obesity problem. This is caused mostly by a lack of physical exercise rather than too much food consumption. A regular regiment of physical exertion can stave off the effects of an improper diet to some degree but this does not mean that a minute or two of mild exercise will counter the effects of 3 jelly donuts and a cream cheese bagel and wipe away 20 pounds of belly fat. Exercise alone cannot overcome a diet full of fats, carbohydrates and empty calories. Here are a few simple things that can help you lose extra pounds of belly fat:
Get some sleep
Adequate sleep is most important if any exercise program is to be successful. If you are tired during the day it is most unlikely that you will be able to perform any useful physical activities later on. Also, there is evidence to suggest that tired individuals tend to eat more of the wrong foods (sugar based snacks and drinks) in a vain attempt to gain energy.
Walk, walk, walk
More than any other creature, human beings are designed to walk upright. Walking is the most natural full body exercise that a person can do. Many experts believe that walking alone is all that is needed as the exercise component of a successful weight reduction program.
Start slowly and build up your stamina. Start with a 15 minute walk and gradually build it up to 30 minutes five times a week. A brisk walk has both physiological and psychological benefits that will tremendously aid in the process of losing weight.
If you cannot walk outside because of location or adverse weather then use a treadmill for your walking exercise. Using a treadmill has the advantage of allowing the individual access to read or watch television while they exercise.
Make time to save time
Make sure you create the time out of your schedule to participate in whatever exercise regimen you chose. If you are rushing through your exercise then you are losing more than half of the benefits that you would otherwise gain. This will force you to do twice the work over double the time.
Remember, it is your life and your body, make the best of both while you can. A healthier life is worth living so get up off that couch and use some full body exercises put your body to work; it will thank you in the long run.
