// Finally Lose Weight

The fast-food culture people in the Western countries have combined with the hectic schedules that leave little room for daily exercise are causing more and more people to fall victim to obesity. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the percentage of overweight Americans at 66% and almost half that number already obese.

Life as we know it today is indeed on a faster track and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find time to work-out the extra calories we get from the fast, convenient but high-calorie food we dine on. As a result, a lot of folks are forced to wear loose slacks with elastic waists- not really considered avante garde in these times.

Exercising consistently, every day if possible, is the most effective weapon against unsightly flab. The multiple benefits we get from regular work-outs make any questions about the value of exercise in fast-paced times like these is a no-brainer.

Aside from the ability to sport the tight clothes often featured in today’s top fashion magazines and catwalks, exercising regularly also gives us a potpourri of health benefits. Lowered blood sugar and cholesterol levels, an enforced immune system, improved endurance, balance and joint strength (making us less susceptible to injury and osteoarthritis)- these are just a few of the advantages we get from staying in shape.

Maintaining a regular exercise routine is also the best way to combat the stress and pressure we accumulate throughout the day. In addition, hard physical activity triggers the production of endorphins in our brain- giving us a lighter, happier mood.

Nicely toned abs and a better disposition- what better way to offset the ravages of an unhealthy diet and job stress? Having a tight schedule is no excuse because with the right combination of exercises, it’s possible to create a daily calorie deficit in just 30 minutes a day.

True that moderate cardio exercises are the best for isolating body fat, but these have to be done for lengthy periods (1-2 hours) in order to use-up enough calories to lose weight. High intensity interval training and modified weight-training done on an unstable surface may be the perfect exercise scheme for overweight folks with hectic schedules.

Fact: Fat burn doesn’t occur until after the first 10-15 minutes of conventional aerobic exercise. The heart rate and metabolism need to reach a certain point for our bodies to start burning energy from calories. Starting cardio sessions at higher intensity will jump-start our metabolism- resulting in immediate fat burn. Shortening rest periods in between weight-lifting sets will also increase our heart rate during anaerobic workouts- allowing us to get the benefits of cardio while building muscle.