Fit at home

Choosing your equipment

You don't have to hit the gym to get fit. With the right equipment, your home can be the perfect workout spot. Here are some of her tips on selecting exercise equipment for home use:

- Determine what equipment you will actually use and invest in only those pieces.

- Try equipment before buying it. Join a fitness center for a day in order to use and test the types of equipment you're thinking about buying.

- Purchase quality equipment that will endure workouts. Look for a treadmill that tests your heart level, has numerous incline adjustments and has a user-friendly "on-off" button. Pick a bike with a smooth sitting area and good back support.

- Choose a mix of strength and cardiovascular equipment. For example, you want a bike, treadmill or stair master for a cardiovascular workout. For strength training, look for a multi-purpose machine that works the upper and lower body.

- Whenever possible, include a floor mat to make it more comfortable to do push-ups for strength training.

Step on it

America on the Move

The strategy is simple, yet effective: Just take 2,000 more steps and eat 100 less calories every day and keep weight gain in check.

That's the advice of America On the Move, a national initiative to inspire Americans to make small changes to achieve healthier lifestyles and prevent weight gain.

America On the Move offers these suggestions for adding to the daily step tally:

- Walk your dog or offer to walk a neighbor's dog.

- Get up and walk to the TV to change the channel.

- Park farther away from the door at the mall or supermarket.

- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

- Walk - don't drive - for trips less than a mile long.

- Walk to a colleague's office instead of sending an e-mail.

- Walk to a restroom or water fountain on a different floor.

- Take a walk on your lunch hour.

Eat less, longer

Super-size your time

One of the reasons the French have had a history of lower obesity rates than Americans may be the time they spend eating a meal.

Not only do the French eat smaller portions, they take longer to do it.

Eating slowly may help trigger feelings of fullness faster, reducing the chance of overeating.

TV Tae Bo

Exercise videos effective

Exercise videos can be a great way to keep in shape when weather, time or finances force you indoors, the American Council on Exercise says.

But exercise tapes are like running shoes - one size doesn't fit all, cautions ACE chief exercise physiologist Cedric Bryant. Fitness professionals offer these tips to help you find the right video workout:

- See a doctor before you begin, especially if you are pregnant.

- Be realistic about your fitness level, but aim for a challenging program so you won't get bored.

- Be realistic about how much time you have. Don't buy a 60-minute tape if you can squeeze in only 30 minutes.

- Choose a video that fits your needs. Don't, for example, buy an aerobics tape if you want to build muscle.

- Make sure the video instructor is a good communicator. He or she should offer different options for certain exercises, and clear instruction.

- Staff / wire reports