"Buying a treadmill and putting it in your home is a great way to have the option of exercising anytime, day or night. But you must remember most treadmills are big, bulky and costly and will require a large area. "
Want to lose weight? Do you hate to exercise, but also hate being overweight? Here is a brief answer to resolve this seemingly contradictory problem.
A friend recently e-mailed me and offered up this question:
To my exercise guru (I love that!), I pose this question. If I want to lose weight, and I hate to exercise, do I have to do aerobics or can I invest in a good treadmill? Did I say I hate to exercise? But alas ... I hate being overweight.
Candice, you are definitely not alone in your hatred of exercise, my mom's favorite saying: "I get plenty of exertion walking from the couch to the refrigerator, why do I need to go for a walk?"
Exercise is so important, especially when you have small children whom you must run after all day. Exercise helps you keep your energy levels up! Other benefits of exercise include improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced blood pressure, reduction of the risk of bone loss, decreased body fat, and decrease in depression, anxiety and tension. Exercise is important for your emotional as well as physical well being.
Buying a treadmill and putting it in your home is a great way to have the option of exercising anytime, day or night. But you must remember most treadmills are big, bulky and costly and will require a large area. Also, with your little kids running around, you will have to erect a play gate around the treadmill so little fingers do not get caught in the belt. It is easy to put off exercise if you plan to do it in your home (you know that if you do not exercise now, the treadmill will still be free at 8:30), so you must write it into your daily agenda -- 3:30 pay bills, 4:00 exercise.
A 150 pound woman, walking 4.5 miles per hour, will burn approximately 440 calories, the more you weigh, the more you burn. A treadmill will work your lower body, from the hips down. You do not want to neglect your upper body; you would need to invest in a set of free weights as well. For a beginning exerciser, 1 to 3 pound hand weights will be sufficient. Start off slowly and get your doctor's consent before beginning any exercise program.
Going to the gym and interacting with other women is one of the main reasons I love aerobics. Also, there is variety in your workout: different instructors, different moves and different women taking classes too. Aerobics works the whole body, your legs are moving, your arms are swinging and there is great music. If you have a question, there is usually an onsite personal trainer who is knowledgeable. If you join a health club, look for one that has free on-site daycare; otherwise, you may have a hard time making it to the gym. As with a treadmill, you need to schedule your workout time.
If you think that once your husband gets home from work you may not want to go, schedule your time in the morning (and take the kids to the gym's daycare). You will burn approximately the same amount of calories with low impact aerobics, as you will when you walk on your treadmill.
Candice, I am partial to aerobics! I need the interaction with other women. That right there is the secret to sticking with an exercise program: finding an exercise you are comfortable with, that you may actually enjoy, and adhering to it, be it walking, biking, running, swimming, aerobics … anything that is going to get your body moving and your heart rate up. Good luck in your quest and keep me posted!
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