Cholesterol

You know it's important to stay active but still find yourself falling back on old habits. What can you do? Planning for exercise isn't hard if you make it a priority.

Physical inactivity is just as big a risk factor for heart disease as high blood pressure and smoking are. So, be the exception rather than the rule. Here are eight ways to exercise for a healthier heart.

A private advisory group's call for 60 minutes of physical activity each day are in line with the 2005 USDA Guidelines for exercise of 30 to 60 minutes. The new advice was meant to get people moving, but some experts are worried about recommending 60 minutes.

Some excuses—I weigh too much, I'm too old, I have too many health problems—are in themselves strong arguments for increasing physical activity.

Weight lifting is one of the fastest-growing U.S. fitness activities. And the American Heart Association recently threw its weight behind weight lifting, too.

To improve your heart and lung fitness, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.

The more active you are, the more calories you burn. Running or jogging, for instance, burns more calories than bowling.

Your target heart rate is the range at which sustained physical activity - running, cycling, swimming laps, or any other aerobic exercise - is considered safe and effective.