Exercise: The Smart Way to Sweat

We're made to move. When Bruce Springsteen cut the tune, "Born to Run," he wasn't necessarily promoting the benefit of exercise--or 10ks. Yet look how popular they've become. Not to mention triathlons.

Reshape Your Body Through Regular Exercise

But take heart. You don't have to become a marathon maverick or fitness fanatic. To get the true benefit of exercise, you need only choose an activity that appeals to you, and commit to doing it regularly. Aim for 20-30 minutes, three to five times a week. Commitment is key.

Now, you may shy away from the "c" word. The difference here is that there's no other person involved. It's just you, pledging yourself to your workout. Whether you opt for a walking routine, weight-training program, martial arts class or cross-country ski machine, your commitment to it will bring the greatest benefit. You'll reshape your body through repetition. And it doesn't have to be boring!

Combine Aerobics, Strengthening and Stretching for Maximum Benefit

Just like professional athletes, you'll benefit from cross-training, or rotating the types of exercise you do. It's ideal to alternate cardiovascular exercise (something steadily aerobic, such as dancing or jogging) with strengthening exercise, such as a body-sculpting workout with weights, and flexibility or stretching exercise, such as yoga.

You Can Get The Benefit of Exercise By Gardening or Cleaning

Again, no need to get fancy. If you give your home a vigorous cleaning once a week, spend time gardening, take the dog for a long walk every other day, and heft sacks of groceries and jugs of filtered water a few times a week, you're already getting the benefit of exercise, without joining a gym! Similarly, shoveling snow in winter, raking leaves in the fall and mowing the lawn in spring and summer (with a push mower, not the sit-down kind) will generate excellent exercise benefits.

Rebounding Gives You The Three-Fold Benefit of Exercise

Consider swimming, cycling, in-line skating, tennis or racquetball for aerobic exercise. My personal favorite is rebounding, or jumping on a mini-trampoline. Rebounding gives you the three-fold benefit of exercise: it increases your cardiovascular functioning, flexibility and balance. Not to mention sculpting your derriere and rejuvenating your entire being at the cellular level. You can jump for joy that you're heart-smart, toned and able to touch your toes. The best rebounder you can buy is made is by Needak.

Make Exercise Your Weight Loss Partner

Of course, the benefit of exercise so many people seek is weight loss. This is where regularity will really make a difference. If you make exercise your weight loss partner, the pounds will slowly melt away like snow in springtime, to reveal the new you that a fitness focus has created.

Other Healthy Habits Enhance the Benefit of Exercise

You can enhance the benefit of exercise by drinking lots of pure water, eating organic, healthy foods, and reducing stress in your life. And, of course, it's always prudent to check in with your health care professional before beginning or accelerating any exercise program.