Overcome Obesity – Exercise Ideas For You And Your Family

By Kat Fuschillo
Writer for FEP International

Obesity is becoming a real problem in the U.S. and around the world. More people are becoming dangerously overweight, and there are more cases of adult and childhood obesity than ever before. Unfortunately, it seems that obesity is increasing, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Overeating is still the main cause of this condition, but a general lack of exercise and daily inactivity is also adding to the problem. Daily exercise has been cited as one of most effective ways to help treat obesity. It's been suggested that just 15 – 30 minutes of exercise or activity each day reduces the risk of obesity. Read on to find out how you and your family could lose weight with exercise [1].

Exercise and obesity...

In order to lose weight, we need to burn more calories than we eat. If you're obese, it's likely that you're eating more than your daily calorie allowance (women = ~1500 / men = ~2000). These extra calories combined with daily inactivity are likely to be the cause of your obesity. If you continue to overeat with no exercise, you'll get even fatter. Exercise is key in weight loss and essential, if you want to stay fit and healthy.

Exercise for you...

Many folks are scared of exercise and hate the idea of joining a gym. But, don't worry, there are a number of ways you can get back in shape and lose weight without ever having to wear Lycra or setting foot in a gym. Here are some great exercise ideas that could kick start your weight loss -
- Go for walks
- Walk to work
- Walk in your lunch break
- Walk after your evening meal
- Get a bike – start slowly at first, try it out in your yard, then along your street, then a little further each and everyday
- Get a beginners exercise DVD – do a little each and every day and build slowly to the whole workout

Exercise ideas for your children...

It's easy to make exercising and daily activities fun for children. Playing ball in the yard, riding their bikes or even playing tag, are all great forms of exercise. Try exercising with your kids. Go for bike rides, walk, and play games together in the backyard. Kids need a little more exercise than adults, around 60 minutes daily. You need to try to be inventive and think up new daily activities that will keep them engaged. Try to get out of the habit of driving your kids around. If it's a short journey, walk instead. This will be great for both of you, and it'll give you a chance to spend more time together [2].

Beating obesity with exercise and diet...

Exercising each day is a great way to stay fit and healthy, but you still need to eat a healthy diet too. Exercising will only get you so far. If you're still eating an unhealthy fatty diet, then exercise will do little to help you lose weight. If you replace high fat foods and reduce the amount you eat each day, you could melt away the pounds. This change of diet teamed with your new daily exercise regime could help you kick start your weight loss, and maybe even double your weekly weight loss [3].

References
1. Exercise still combats obesity –
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/06June/Pages/Exercisestillcombatsobesity.aspx. Accessed Aug 22, 2009.

2. How 15 minutes' exercise can beat obesity -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-443423/How-15-minutes-exercise-beat-obesity.html. Accessed Aug 22, 2009.

3. Exercise 'can't end obesity risk'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4120259.stm. Accessed Aug 22, 2009.

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