Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Get fit, stay fit

Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Did you know ... According to the American College of Sports Medicine, working out cardiovascularly three times per week for twenty to sixty minutes is adequate to maintain optimal health. To improve health, a regime that includes cardio, resistance, and flexibility exercises should be performed four to five times per week. Over-training will result in excess fatigue, muscle tissue breakdown, a weakened immune system and frazzled nerves.

Try it out ... What gets you motivated? What keeps you motivated? What are your cardio workouts? Salsa dancing, ballroom, hip-hop? Share your ideas!

Action Tips ...

• Choose a cardio activity you will enjoy.
• Stop if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable at any time.
• Begin with small increments such as walking and add five to ten minutes each week to increase stamina. Stabilize your aerobic routine at between twenty and sixty minutes, three to five times per week.
• Once you are "fit," and you desire to boost your fat burning, try interval training. Walk for five minutes; run for one to three minutes. Alternate intensity. This will give your metabolism a real kick in the derriere!
• Maintain your target heart rate.
• Drink one cup of pure, room-temperature water fifteen to thirty minutes before exercising. Drink plenty of water throughout the workout, as well as throughout the day.