Here is an EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT article that was running on MSN homepage today.
Some really good information for everyone, but especially those of you wanting to lose some weight.
http://fitness.msn.com/articles/feeds/?dept=exercise&article=et_mh_011204_foodsboostmetabolism
One caution I think should be mentioned, that was not covered there......
Remember that when your heart rate starts increasing that also means that it is working harder. That's OK, as long as you don't damage the heart muscle by overworking it. That is one of, if not THE most common cause of heart failure, or serious heart damage.
It's good for the heart to "exercise", but like everything else, it can be overworked.
That's why, if you ARE overweight and/or your arteries are clogged or restricted, for any reason, too much stress "immediately" to an "un-conditioned" heart or too long of overworking can have some serious side affects.
If you have been a couch potato...very little or no exercise.....living on high carb food, (convenience/fast foods, sweets, baked goodys, pasta, beer, soda pop, etc)....you might do your heart some serious damage if you were to overstress it too much....too soon....by say...suddenly trying to become Arnold Swartzneger in one day (or a few weeks).
Healthy losing of weight will take some time. You all should see a nice drop early, primarily due to the "water loss" factor, but after that it will be a slow ....but steady...progression....if you stay with it.
Even if the only exercise is walking....that is sufficient in most cases. Working out at the gym can certainly have some extra, added benefits...no question.
