Fitness Tips: Something to Talk About

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

25 Oct 2006 06:05 PM

I needed something else to talk about today here in the fitness blog so I started flipping through my fitness magazines and looking at my fitness equipment. Here are a few more fitness questions that you may have been looking for answers to:

Why do they post warnings on treadmills about vertigo?

Whether you are a beginner or used to working out, you may experience dizziness, disorientation or vertigo while you are working out on a cardiovascular exercise machine whether it's a treadmill, a stationary bike or a stair master. This can be caused by a number of factors including dehydration, lack of oxygen and more. Take a moment to stop exercising and catch your breath. Rest briefly until the vertigo passes and then start your exercise again at a slower pace.

How can I add exercise to my day when I'm always on the go?

Give the environment a break and leave your car in the garage. Increase the number of steps you take every day - 2,000 steps equals about a mile and if you keep your walking pace moderate, you'll burn about 200 calories an hour. The 10,000 step program is a great way to increase your overall daily activity even when you don't have time to exercise.

Bumping up your calendar expenditure can help you work towards your health and fitness goals. The following activities will burn 100 calories for a 150-pound person:

*Gardening = 20 min. *Washing the Car = 20 min *Walking the Dog = 20 min. *Pushing a Stroller = 20 min. *Bicycling = 25 min. *Aerobic Dance = 15 min. *Roller skating = 15 min. *Jogging = 15 min.

I like to workout outside, but it always seems like the weather isn't cooperating, what do I do?

In exercise, as in everything else, it's always good to have a Plan B. Don't look at the weather as being a setback, instead, look at it as a challenge. So you can go for an outdoor run because of the heavy rain, try mixing up some jumping jacks and other cardio exercises that you can do indoors. A jump rope and a garage are another great way to get your cardio in even on bad weather days.

It's getting colder outside, what do I need to do to protect myself in freezing weather?

Be aware that when it's really cold outside, there are a number of precautions that you need to take and the first is to not pile on the clothes just to go for a run. Remember, when you are exercising it raises your body temperature and if you are wearing too many clothes, you run the risk of overheating. Layers are the way to go, a sweat jacket can be enormously helpful to unzip and even remove and tie it around your waist when you are heating up and then put it back on as you cool down.

Related Articles:

Fitness Tips: Exercise Bike Routines

Aerobic versus Anaerobic

The Keys to Personal Fitness Success

Ease Your Arthritis with Exercise

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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