The safest way of controlling weight is through a regular exercise program. The many benefits offered when you engage in some form of physical activity for just 30 minutes a day are tremendous. Not only do you strengthen your muscles and bones, you also reduce your risk of heart diseases, cancer and diabetes and promote a positive sense of wellbeing and increased feelings of self-esteem. For physically fit and healthy adults, the usual recommendation is an hour of intense vigorous physical activity for at least five days a week. For walkers to experience the full spectrum of benefits from walking, health authorities recommend taking 10,000 steps a day.

While any form of moderate physical activity, like walking or swimming, is generally safe for most people, certain conditions necessitate that you take extra precautions before engaging in a new exercise program. If you have preexisting medical conditions and are under the care of a physician with maintenance medications, it is best that you inform your healthcare provider of your plans to start a new workout routine. While your doctor may even encourage you in most cases, there are certain situations when he or she will want to take a few precautions. He or she might require that some laboratory tests be performed before giving you consent. The results of these tests will not only ensure your doctor that you are able to handle physical activity, it will also give your doctor a baseline as to how much you can tolerate in a single session.

What conditions necessitate a visit to your physician before starting an exercise routine?

If you have preexisting heart, lung, liver or kidney conditions, it's best to check with your doctor beforehand. Asthma, diabetes or arthritis are medical conditions that warrant the approval of your doctor before you engage in a new exercise program. Even if you have no medical history of these conditions but have symptoms indicative of it, you should seek medical help first before starting any workout. These include any form of pain or discomfort in your chest, neck, jaw or arms during physical activity, dizziness or loss of consciousness, shortness of breath with the mildest exertion or even when at rest, or when lying down or going to bed, ankle swelling, especially at night, a heart murmur or a rapid or pronounced heartbeat and muscle pain when walking upstairs or up a hill that goes away when you rest. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you see your doctor before engaging in vigorous exercise if you meet at least two following conditions: you're a man older than 45 or a woman older than 55, have a family history of heart disease before age 55, you smoke or have quit smoking in the past six months, you haven't exercised for three months or more, are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol and have impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes).

It's always to be on the safe side where your health is concerned. If you have a condition that's not listed above and you want to engage in a workout program, it's highly recommended that you consult your doctor first.