Despite the well-known fact that exercising is essential to good health, many people just don't do it. These days, it's often because we just don't have time. We're more informed about the benefits of a good workout routine than ever before, but who can work a full cardio and strength training regimen in, even if it is just a few times a week?

For those who want to improve overall fitness but feel that there aren't enough hours in the day, circuit training may be the answer. As the name suggests, circuit training involves doing a series of exercises in rapid succession. Over a period of 30 minutes to an hour, one can use circuit training to work all of the major muscle groups and get a good aerobic workout.

When some people decide that they want to lose weight, they join a diet program. Others sign up for aerobics classes. And others go out and buy expensive exercise equipment. These things may very well be effective, but if you want to lose weight, you really don't need anything more than your two feet. Running is one of the best forms of exercise for weight loss. There's no special equipment required, just a good pair of shoes and a place to run. The average person burns 100 to 150 calories per mile when running. And in addition to weight loss, running is also great for cardiac health and muscle tone in the lower body. The idea of running is intimidating to some, especially those with sedentary lifestyles. But you don't have to start off with a marathon. It's fine to start out slow and work your way up. Here are a few tips:

Fitness is big business. There are TV shows, infomercials and entire television stations dedicated to exercise and weight loss. Fitness magazines and books can be found in every bookstore, most grocery stores, and even some convenience stores. And new types of fitness equipment are rolling off the production lines all the time.

With all of this activity dedicated to fitness, one might think that getting in shape is difficult (not to mention expensive). But people have been exercising since the beginning of time, and they didn't have detailed instructions and fancy equipment back then. And contrary to what the companies that make all these products would have us think, it's not necessary today, either.

There are many types of exercise that we can do without any equipment whatsoever. These include:

Many diet plans all but eliminate fat from the diet. It makes sense, because most people who want to lose weight want to lose it in the form of fat. But a diet that is extremely low in fat can be hard to stick to, and it often leaves us feeling hungry. Besides, there are certain types of fat that are good for us.

Did you know that there's even a kind of fat that can actually help us lose belly fat? Monounsaturated fat can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, and it helps us feel full faster. This kind of fat is a cornerstone of the Flat Belly Diet.

Do you feel that you simply have to exercise even if you are body is riddled with aches and pains? In spite of having injuries? Is missing a workout never an option for you? If you feel like this then you might just have an exercise disorder. You are exercising for the right reasons if you enjoy it and are happy about the health benefits that result. If you are the type however refuses to miss a run in spite of having nagging ankle pain then you just might be exercise obsessed. While there are no real guidelines on how much exercise is too much, if it interferes with your life and becomes all consuming to the point that it excludes other things then it could be a real issue.

The sluggish economy has people so troubled that almost one-third of the population is losing sleep because of job concerns, debt problems, health care costs etc. The 2009 Sleep in America™ poll conducted for the National Sleep Foundation revealed that 16% of Americans were unable to sleep properly due to the state of their personal finances, with another 15% worried over the general state of the economy, 10% concerned about jobs and 8% anxious about health care expenses.

Quite a few people are blaming a poor diet on a bad economy. They believe that the recession is preventing them from eating right because food costs are high and that it's difficult to shop healthy in this type of situation. Eating healthy for many has become a very low priority in the face of increasing financial stress.

While this attitude is understandable, it's ultimately self-defeating. A poor diet contributes to poor health and with so much bad news everywhere it's vital for people to continue taking care of themselves lest they make a bad situation worse. A bad diet can lead to cardiovascular disease, obesity, strokes, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, strokes etc. while also putting a person at risk of getting cancer.

Are your stress levels getting too high? How do you know when it's time to see a doctor? With so much bad news everywhere, skyrocketing stress levels come as no surprise. Doctors are seeing increasing instances of patients suffering from stress-related complications like irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, mood disorders, panic attacks, anxiety, constipation, depression, diarrhea and even psychotic episodes. High stress levels can lead to major complications which[...]

Exercise benefits the body in many ways but it also can lead to a number of skin problems especially if you work out regularly in a gym. Exercising indoors is beneficial in certain ways since it reduces the threat of sun damage or skin cancer. However it leaves you vulnerable to another set of less threatening but common skin infections, which if left untreated can cause pain and hinder one's[...]

Quite a few people may be over exercising without realizing it and damaging their body as a result. Over-exercising can lead to a number of serious complications later on. For instance women who exert themselves too much are at risk of developing osteoporosis, especially if they are finicky about their calorie intake too. They may have complications with their menstrual cycles and in some cases stop menstruating entirely. Men who use protein powders and steroids are vulnerable to a whole host of health problems if they overdo their fitness program.