BlubberBusters Tips from Lucy

Exercise Smart!

Part of healthy weight loss includes regular exercise. Exercise can also have another benefit: it can help you feel better about yourself! When done regularly, exercise helps your body make certain chemicals that can help your self esteem.

All physical activity can help your body be healthier. Certain exercise should be included to help you lose weight. This exercise type is cardiovascular exercise. Or just cardio, for short. 

Cardio exercises include the ones where your heart beats faster. Next time you are running, dancing, swimming, walking up the stairs, chasing your brother, riding your bike, playing basketball, skiing, or any other activity, feel for your heart beat.  To feel your heartbeat (pulse) press with your fingers on your wrist as shown at left. Is your pulse beating faster? If it is beating fast enough, you are burning stored body fat!

So how do you know if your heart is beating fast enough? Here's an easy test: if you can sing while you are exercising, you probably are not going fast enough. If you can talk, you probably are doing it just right!

Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen. The newest general exercise guidelines suggest we get our hearts beating faster for one hour per day most days of the week! Start exercising a few minutes a day and work your way up to exercising more. Start today!

Make this a healthy week!

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