Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get discouraged!

When starting out exercising it is crucial that you enjoy what you are doing, so pick an activity that you like -walking, cycling, or sport for example, to get started, and worry about what the best exercise is later.

Most people have a tendency to jump in the deep end when it comes to exercise routines - to pick the most difficult one they can find and often one that doesn't include activities they enjoy. This is a big mistake, because people start out excited they will keep it up for the first few days, but after a few weeks with the momentum and excitement gone its very difficult to keep going.

Do you know how to measure body mass index?

Do you even know what body mass index is?

For some, the need to lose weight is clear. Those whose body weight places them into the obese or morbidly obese categories are well aware that they are carrying too many pounds.

But what about those who are only slightly overweight? Is that ten pounds over the ideal weight raising your risk of health complications? Are you just 'big-boned'? How do you decide if you really need to lose weight - and how much weight do you really need to lose?

What is the big deal about nutritional supplements for athletes? Is a sports nutrition supplement going to make that much of a difference?  If you have ever asked yourself these questions, sit tight and be prepared to find the answer right here.  The answer is an unequivocal "YES!"  Let me tell you why.

The other day I was driving past a high school with my family. It was late afternoon and the athletic teams had just finished their practices.  About 4 or 5 boys were walking nearby with their shirts off, and they were ripped!  Not an ounce of fat on them, and they had some muscle also.  My wife said to me, "I don't remember the guys I went to school with, looking like that."  I told her that I knew some, but that she was right. There is no doubt that the athletes today look leaner and more muscular in general than they did 20 years ago.  There is a reason for that too.  The biggest reason for the improvement in the physiques of athletes over the last 20 years is the advancement in weight lifting supplements.

What are you trying to get out of your exercise program? Are you trying to lose weight? Are you trying to put on muscle mass? Are you training for a sport or an athletic contest of some kind?

Okay, now that you’ve answered the question of why you are exercising to begin with, you are now ready to ask yourself what type of exercise program you will need to get involved with in order to accomplish that goal.

Do you remember when our parents used to yell at us to go outside and play? They would get so tired of us running around the house munching junk food and fighting with our siblings that they would practically kick us out of the house!

Well, we may not have the same child-like activities lined up to get outside for anymore, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't still get out and enjoy the world! Exercising outdoors has many benefits, and they include the following:

- Little or no equipment needed to get a good workout - No crowded gyms or obnoxious people to put up with - No driving time to the local fitness facility - No need to put on makeup or special clothing to workout at the gym - Vitamin D enhancing sunshine for our skin - The ability to workout anytime, anywhere - even on vacation - Two words: Fresh Air