If you absolutely hate exercise, then get a radio or book and exercise while you enjoy that activity. It helps to pass the time.

It's also VERY easy forego exercise because you're too tired. That's the most common excuse to not exercise. But the truth is, the best time to go exercise is when you're tired. By exercising, you actually create more energy. Next time you find yourself feeling tired....go exercise and see if you don't feel better and more awake. Your body is similar to a rechargeable battery. You have to drain the power to fully recharge it. The more you exercise, the more energy you can store for the next day.

Quick Tip #22: Find an exercise or activity you enjoy. Exercise moderately and energize your batteries!

The Body Engine

Your body is nothing more than an engine requiring fuel (calories) to keep it going. The bigger the engine, the more fuel you need. When you begin to exercise, you're doing nothing more than revving your engine and burning more fuel. Even small amounts of exercise "rev" your engine.

Quick Tip #23: Your body is an engine that requires fuel. The more you "rev" your engine, the more fuel you burn.

Aerobic Exercise and Target Heart Rate

Aerobic exercises are activities such as jogging, fast walking, aerobic dance, cycling or basketball. When you're engaged in aerobic exercise, you begin to burn fat for fuel. Since you're tapping this stored fat frequently, you'll slowly (very slowly - be patient) notice a change in your body composition. What is happening is that you are reducing the body fat component of your total weight. If you can "rev" your engine continuously for about twenty minutes three times per week, you can receive the benefits of aerobic exercise. But you do need to get your heart rate going to about 70% of your maximum heart rate. This is called your target heart rate or the rate at which you begin to receive the benefits of aerobic exercise.

Target Heart Rate

To determine your target heart rate, subtract your age from 220. Then take 70% of that number and you have your target heart rate. For example, a 30-year old person would have a target heart rate of 133 (220 - 30 = 190. 70% of 190 = 133). Calculate your target heart rate. This is the heart rate you should try to maintain for 20 minutes.