Heart associations around the world recommend one form of exercise that is effective and won't cost you half a month's salary: Walking. Yes. Nothing can be simpler. I've been seeing a lot of misleading advertisements in both online and off-line media. What the general public doesn't know is that they can achieve the same results and perhaps burn the same amount of calories without that expensive machine.
The amount of calories that you can burn with usual pace walking is between 100-150 calories in 30 minutes. It is recommended that you should spend 30 minutes, 3x a week, doing brisk walking, which will let you burn 200-250 calories per session. Aside from burning calories, you strengthen your heart, you improve your circulation, and better yet, you don't force your joints or muscles to conform to any machine standards.
Now, maybe you're thinking: 200 calories per walking session? That's not enough, is it? If you're aiming for a drastic drop in your weight, yes, this may not be enough. But as I have pointed out in my previous articles, drastic weight loss is UNHEALTHY weight loss! The amount of calories you burn by walking (along with a healthy controlled diet) will make you lose weight in a gradual, healthy manner. Yes you are only losing 200 calories per walking session. But imagine the amount of calories you can get rid of if you incorporate walking in your lifestyle! Climb the stairs (instead of using elevators), walk a few blocks (instead of riding a cab), walk around whenever and wherever you see the opportunity!
So the next time you are tempted to buy another exercise machine, don't just think twice but thrice. Know that you always have a healthier, equally effective alternative. I'd invest in a good pair of walking/running shoes if I were you. Let's walk to your health!
Dek Santos is a practicing physician in Manila who concentrates on methods of losing weight the natural and healthy way. Learn more about his ideas by visiting:
http://www.healthydietweightloss.com
