Starting and maintaining an adequate exercise program really is "magic pill' which will jump start your weight loss program and make it easy to maintain your new weight after you reach your goal.

If you are not exercising on a regular basis, check with your Doctor first, he or she can give you guidance on what types of exercise would be safe for you to start with. Start small, doing just a little is far better that doing nothing.

Almost without fail, those who lose weight without including exercise, take a lot longer to reach their goal, they are also ones most likely to regain all of weight they lost and possibly even more.

What are excuses for not exercising?

Can't afford expensive equipment... there are many exercises that require no equipment.

Can't afford to join health club... there are many exercises that do not require belonging to a health club.

Don't have time...y ou can exercise in small time increments, as little as 5 minutes at a time, 5 or 6 times a day, while not preferred method, can still be effective.

Possibly easiest, least expensive and one of most effective exercise programs is simply walking. Nature gave us all of equipment we need, all you need to add is a good pair of walking shoes, and determination to improve your health. You don't have to start with a long walk or a fast walk. If you are not walking now, no matter how much you start with will be more than you were doing. If you are really out of shape, maybe only 5 minutes is all you can do at once, that's okay, do 5 minutes today, 6 minutes next day and so on.

Here are some easy ways to start walking more, without thinking about it:

Park at back of mall parking lot. Park a few blocks away from work, or get off bus a few stops early.

Use stairs instead of elevator or escalator. You should shoot for 20-30 minutes as a minimum and really as long as you have time for. You should try to get up to about a mile in twenty minutes, this will be brisk enough to get you breathing faster and start burning calories. if you can't carry on a conversation, you are walking too fast.

Here are some of health benefits that a walking program can deliver:

Walking conditions your heart and lungs, helps your body use oxygen efficiently. Helps reduce weight by burning fat and building muscle. Burns almost as many calories as running, but is much lower impact, therefore it is much easier on muscles and joints. Helps relieve stress, contributes to better sleep and overall wellness. Boasts lowest drop out rate of any form of exercise, you are more likely to stick with it.

Why is it that when people are driving they think that other drivers can't see them through clear glass windows of their car?

On numerous occasions I have been happily driving along in my home town of Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, UK when I've seen another driver picking his (or her) nose, oblivious to fact that every other driver is watching them do it?

To an extent I can understand someone thinking they can't be seen when they're driving along at 50mph but when they're sat at traffic lights it's another matter entirely!

I've just been sat at lights at Burton end of Trent Bridge and some chap in a red Volvo was sat behind me merrily picking away. I thought he was going to lose his hand at one point. He only stopped when I turned round and gave him a thumbs up sign and in fact he looked quite shocked that somehow I'd been able to see him through his Harry Potter invisibility cloak (ie car windscreen).

You may ask why I gave him a thumbs up sign when what he was doing was in fact quite gross? Well, it's because recent research shows that picking your nose is good for you ...... and eating it is even better!!!!

Yes, I know it's hard to swallow (sorry :-) ) but apparently it's true. Here's a news story I saw recently:

Top doc backs picking your nose and eating it

Picking your nose and eating it is one of best ways to stay healthy, according to a top Austrian doctor.

Innsbruck-based lung specialist Prof Dr Friedrich Bischinger said people who pick their noses with their fingers were healthy, happier and probably better in tune with their bodies.

He says society should adopt a new approach to nose-picking and encourage children to take it up.

Dr Bischinger said: "With finger you can get to places you just can't reach with a handkerchief, keeping your nose far cleaner.