Light exercise reduces stress, anxiety and blood pressure as effectively as strenuous exercise, and it can burn just as many calories, since you're likely to do it for longer. Check out these four sweat-less workouts.
Walking
Walking is, by far, the most popular form of exercise today. But you need not trudge away on a treadmill until your clothes are sopping wet. A leisurely walk done for a longer duration can be just as effective and burn the same number of calories as its higher-intensity cousin.
Easy does it
Ease into your walking program. Build your fitness base by walking at a comfortable pace for short durations, perhaps five- to 10-minute sessions. Even if you think you can do more, resist the temptation: Doing too much too soon can cause undue fatigue and muscle soreness. And be sure to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Fun first
You're more apt to stick with exercise if you like what you're doing, so focus first on fun. Exercise in your favorite places. Try trail walking if you like the woods. Go for a walk on the beach or around the lake if you're a water baby. Join a mall-walking club if you live in an area with harsh winters. You might even join your local health club if it'll make you "walk the straight and narrow." But the same "easy-does-it" rules apply; don't worry about how hard everyone else is working.
Move to improve
As your fitness level improves, you can alter the variables to add kick to the workout. But this doesn't have to mean just increasing your pace (intensity), or exercising longer (time). If you don't like to sweat, you can also add an extra day to your routine (frequency).
It's all about what you like! So, enjoy your exercise.
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