Q. I am ready to start your diet program, but I have a problem with walking 30 minutes a day. I suffer from lower back problems and walking is sometimes very difficult. Are there other exercises I can do? – Carol, Kamloops, British Columbia
A. We love walking for many reasons, but it’s not the only activity that can help you lose weight. Plenty of others will help you burn calories without winding up in traction. Check with your doctor or a physical therapist about which activities are best for you, but a good one is usually water aerobics. Thanks to your buoyancy in water, you can walk, run and even do jumping jacks without putting stress on your back and joints. Bonus: A recent study found that water exercise actually helps relieve pain and stiffness in people with chronic lower back pain. Because water also offers resistance, you can “lift weights” using foam dumbbells or water noodles. These neon-colored water toys build muscle when you push them down into the water. We always recommend strength training in any weight-loss regimen because the muscle you build consumes more calories than an equal amount of fat does.
