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| If you watch television, you might be led to believe that the only way to lose weight is by joining Oprah's Boot Camp or spend a couple of weeks at the Extreme Makeover mansion or have liposuction plastic surgery procedure. Plus there are always promoters of diets, exercise equipment, weight loss pills, and everything else that is out there helping people to lose weight. And then there is The Swan that makes you believe that giving you a new body through plastic surgery is the only way to get the body that you want.
But have you ever wondered that not too long ago in America (and still in most countries of the world) there were no gyms, exercise equipment (the kind we see today), or sophisticated diets that we have today? People stayed healthy by doing things with their hands. They walked, climbed stairs, and cooked their own meals (rather than microwave some junk from the supermarket). Since it was unusual for women to workout with men in a public place or to put sneakers and run on the streets, they did simple exercises at home. For instance, jumping rope.
Why is rope jumping a good technique for weight loss? - It costs literally nothing, less than $10, even if you buy the most sophisticated types. You can even make one yourself at home. Almost anyone can manage to get one.
- You can work out in the privacy of your home.
- When you are with other people, jumping rope can be converted into a group exercise. Many people actually use background music so that jumping can be coordinated with the rhythm of the music.
- You can travel with your jump rope and exercise while you are in a hotel room or staying with friends/family.
- Apart from helping you burn calories (about 200 calories per 15 minutes at moderate speed), jumping is also good for the heart and can give you a full-body workout without hurting your knees and ankles too much.
Like any other exercise, it will take time for you to be able to jump rope for a reasonable amount of time. So start small and then go from there. Stop when you feel tired and start again. Within a matter of weeks, you should be able to jump 30 minutes, the minimum time recommended for daily exercise by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Recommended articles: Lose weight but have fun too Reviews of weight loss programs Gym outfits Questions about dieting, weight loss, and fitness Lose weight one ounce at a time How to get your body ready for the beach? Stay fit and reduce risk of cancer |
