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Weight Loss Methods
Exercise for Weight Loss
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
"With four kids it is hard to find time to exercise," agrees Lynn Rexroat from Chillicothe, Ill. "I usually do a little in the morning after getting the older ones off to school and then a little more while the baby is taking a nap. I don't do a lot, but what I have done has really made a difference. I never thought I had the time but it's not so hard when you break it down."
There are three components to exercise:
cardiovascular – the strengthening of the heart; strength training – the strengthening of the muscles; and flexibility – the elasticity of the muscles and how they work together, according to Komer. Each component of exercise is important individually, but also when combined with the other two.
Cardiovascular workouts include brisk walking, jogging, running, aerobics or swimming. "Swimming is a real good, low impact exercise that offers great cardiovascular benefits," says Komer. "But not everyone has access to a pool so a good alternative is walking." In a cardiovascular workout, the goal is to increase the heart rate to "work out" the heart muscle and burn off calories. However, the weight loss benefits of these workouts stop when you do. "Cardiovascular exercises such as aerobics or walking are great for burning those extra calories while you're actually doing them," says Komer. "Once you stop and your heart rate comes down, you stop burning calories."