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In my previous article I described the advantages of exercising at an intensity of 7 out of 10, or 70% of your maximum heart rate. If you missed this article then you can read it at http://www.usanainhealth.com/products/?p=154.
The scale from 1 to 10 is known as the ‘rate of perceived exertion’ and I will refer to it as RPE as I explain how to improve your current cardiovascular fitness. Your aim is to build up progressively until you are able to sustain 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity at an RPE of 7 or above. This is for everyone, irrespective of your personal aims. This intensity will enable you to burn fat as well as improve the efficiency of your heart and lungs (CV fitness).
You can get your own cardiovascular exercise programme now by clicking on the link: http://www.usanainhealth.com/cvprog.pdf. You can join this programme at any level or week number, but you must commit yourself to moving through the levels!
You will see from the programme plan that the lower levels are displayed at the bottom of the chart and the levels go higher, the further you go up the chart. I want you to invisage this is a ladder and your goal is to get to the top. Each time you slip (perhaps you miss your exercises for a couple of weeks), just get back on the ladder and keep climbing! Remember in my last article I told you that you should be in this for the long haul? Well, missing a few training session does not mean you failed, it just means you lost your footing! You know that you can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it!
Strive to complete 3 sessions of up to 30 minutes duration each and every week starting from now! Make a note at the end of each day detailing how you felt once you completed the exercise.
You may also have noticed that I haven’t told you what types of exercise you should be doing! The beauty of this programme is that it doesn’t matter as long as it elevates your heart rate. If you are going to do this at the gym, then the activity could be swimming, walking, jogging, cross training, rowing, or aerobics. If you are going to do this from home then you can still walk or jog, or you may choose to do 30 minutes of your favourite exercise video. If you like sports then you could play tennis, football or squash. Use your imagination! It may be useful to look in your local paper to see what clubs and classes are on offer in your local area. Don’t put it off! Do it right now and get moving up the ladder! Once you reach the top, make sure you stay there by continuing to push and challenge yourself.
Dr. Andrew Smith is the Webmaster of www.usanainhealth.com/. To receive more FREE health and fitness advice, including understanding the benefits of using high quality nutritional supplements, please visit the health Blog at www.usanainhealth.com/products/. You can also subscribe to future Blog updates by registering your email address at the site.
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