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Fitness for busy people

By: Hope Elpis Does your day begin early in the morning and end late at night? There is so much to do, and so little time for fitness and exercises. Is there a way out?

How to squeeze exercises into your busy schedule?

Running or walking may be a good choice. Both are excellent kinds of physical exercises to burn more calories, shed those unwanted pounds and control your weight. For example, a 150 lb person walking at 3mph burns approximately 320 calories per hour. Brisk walking at 4.5 mph burns even more calories, about 440 calories per hour. Heavier people burn more calories than thinner ones.

Both running and walking have many advantages:

- You can run or walk even if you have only half an hour of spare time.
- You do not have to go to a gym; go out and run or walk along the street or in the park.
- You do not need any special equipment, just a pair of comfortable running shoes.

Running or walking: which one to choose?

When choosing between running and walking, consider your general physical state. Take up walking instead of running if you have increased arterial pressure, problems with your spine or much excess weight. Your physical activity should be appropriate for your age. It is always a good idea to ask your doctor for advice before making any significant changes to your lifestyle.

Walking is easier, but running makes you burn more calories for the same period of time. Fast walking may be the most preferable combination of both, as it makes you burn calories and does not require too much time.

Recommended reading

Overweight and obesity: what you can do
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_whatcanyoudo.htm
Describes negative consequences of obesity. Encourages people to increase their level of physical activity.

Fitness and Exercise
http://www.actabit.com/fitness-exercise
Gives information about benefits of fitness, exercise tips to lose excess weight and to be fit, recommendations on fitness training and routines. Contains news and articles on different kinds of sport and workout programs.

References

Fitness and Exercise
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/fitnexer/fitnexer.htm
Gives information on benefits of fitness and provides a table of average number of calories burnt per hour in the most common activities. Different kinds of exercises for all seasons are suggested.