Overweight? Try an Elliptical!

For individuals who are significantly overweight, the thought of losing weight can be a daunting task. There are two keys to weight loss: cutting down the number of calories consumed and increasing cardiovascular exercise. Weight loss happens when more calories are burned in one day than are taken in.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends between 30 and 90 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three days per week. For obese individuals, this can be difficult for many reasons. Exercise can be hard on the body’s joints and muscles. The more the body weighs, the greater the impact on those joints.

Exercising in a fitness center or gym can be difficult too as some exercise machines may not accommodate the weight of an obese individual, as many pieces have a weight limit of 350 pounds. If you are serious about weight loss, consider purchasing residential fitness equipment.

Elliptical trainers provide a low-impact workout, reducing strain on cartilage and joints. The continuous motion of the pedals provides the cardio and fat-burning benefits of walking, without the risk of injury that can come from walking on hard surfaces. Most elliptical machines also have moving arm handles, allowing an upper body workout as well as a cardio workout.

When beginning your exercise routine, remember these keys:
- Begin with 30 minutes of cardio per workout, even if you have to start at a slow pace.
- As you begin to lose weight, gradually increase speed, intensity and time.
- Add variety to your workout to stay motivated and keep from getting bored.

Always remember, stepping onto the exercise machine for the first time is always the hardest part. Surround yourself with friends and family who will encourage and motivate you on your weight loss journey.

Fit Tips are provided by Exercise Houston, the leader in high-quality exercise equipment for homes in the Greater Houston Area. For more information on Fit Tips and other fitness advice and expertise visit www.exercisehouston.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/exercisehouston.