Here's to a healthy Christmas

The word "aerobics," which technically means "living with oxygen," was coined in 1968 by Kenneth Cooper, M.D. He called this type of exercise as such because people who engage in this activity breathe harder, thus taking in more oxygen.

Many have grown accustomed to associating aerobic exercise with dancing. We must remember, however, that any physical activity that makes us breathe harder like running, walking or swimming can be aerobics.

Here are some ways aerobic exercise helps you fight fat:

• Aerobic exercise will raise your metabolic rate during and after your workout so you continue to burn extra calories even after your exercise.

• This kind of exercise will make you eat less. According to a study, aerobic exercisers lose more pounds because this activity reduces anxiety and depression.

• Aerobics may enhance your preference for fruits and vegetables. Thereby curbing your craving for fatty food.

• Physically active people, according to researches, handle stress better than those who don’t exercise.

• Aerobic exercise increases fat-burning enzymes which break down fats and use it for energizing cells. Because of this you’ll store less body fat.

Here are some aerobic exercises you can try:

• Aerobic dance. You can do this at home. Choose from a wide variety of VCD’s or DVD’s in the market. Or you may opt to go to the gym and join other men and women in a class. This is a fun way of getting motivated, too.

• Cycling. You get a high-calorie burn with cycling. You can do this indoors or outdoors.

• Dancing. This is really fun and it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a good dancer. You can’t go wrong, calorie-wise.

• Machine rowing. Rowing machine works the upper and lower body for increased calorie burn while not over stressing the joints.

• Stair climbing. Oh, yes! Going up and down the stairs can do magic to women’s primary trouble spots – the butt, thighs and hips.

• Swimming. Swimming is a good exercise to the joints and it helps build muscles.

• Water aerobics. Water resistance helps build muscle while you burn calories. Also, you have less injury and discomfort in water.

There are still so many aerobic activities you can try. Just find an activity you will truly enjoy; something you see yourself doing today, tomorrow, next month and hopefully the rest of your life. In any form of exercise, remember that you will likely get more results if you do it regularly. Of course, nothing stops you from shifting from one physical activity to another, so you can challenge your body with something new.

May we all have a merry and healthy Christmas!