In the animal world there is a reason why individuals are always searching for food. It is not so easy to get, and a great deal of energy is required in the process of securing it. From hummingbirds to grizzly bears, an extraordinary number of calories are routinely burned merely to satisfy the hunger impulse. In doing so, a natural balance between the consumption of food with which to burn energy, and the burning of energy itself is kept in natural balance.
      Enter the modern human being. A couch potato picks up the telephone and orders a pizza. No energy expended, and excessive energy stores consumed. The result, excess calories that will eventually lead to fat. In this comparison it should be evident that one of the major contributing factors to weight gain is lack of exercise.

      While it is true you will never see a cheetah on a bicycle, it is equally certain you will not find a human dashing across a plain attempting to fell their dinner. The natural result of the difference between animal and human societies is an implicit imbalance in a typical human's consumption of energy, and their expenditure of it.
      There is a much more subtle factor at work here, and that is the unseen effect that physical exercise has on the absorption and metabolism of food (and food supplements, though largely untested), and how the two work together to maintain a proper and healthy balance. This relationship cannot be stressed enough. Again, a natural occurrence in the animal world, but largely absent in modern human society. The burden of maintaining a “closer to natural” balance between the burning of calories and their consumption must fall then to human discipline, plain and simple.

      One thing is very clear - regular exercise is one of the few proven predictors of successful weight management. To lose weight, a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training is ideal. Aerobic exercises of moderate intensity are recommended. Walking, swimming, and cycling are among the safest exercises for someone starting a new program. Strength training includes lifting weights, particularly useful for increasing muscle mass and metabolism. Remember that you don't have to exercise until you fall over and it doesn't have to hurt to do you good. Start slowly at a speed that's comfortable for you, then increase your pace gradually to avoid injuring yourself.
      It is especially important that you find a way to have fun while exercising, since the more you enjoy a particular activity, the more you'll want to do it. Also, try to build certain activities into your daily routine and find fun ways to be active during your leisure time.
      A word of caution: If you plan to lose more than 15 to 20 pounds, have any health problems or take medications, or have not exercised for some time, consult with your health care provider before starting an exercise program. If you are serious about getting started, please take a moment to review a few additional tips on fitness.

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