A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.

Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.

In fact, health experts insist that obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.

However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of junk food. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get quality Zzzs:

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.

In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.

2. Walk the walk:

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts.

Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while.

3. Walk the treadmill:

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.

Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.

4. Seize the time:

Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule.

Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.

The beauty of the neck is often flawed by dark patches and spots around it; especially the nape of the neck is more prone to darkening. This could be due of pigmentation, dead cells clinging to the surface of your skin, dirt and grime which gets embedded in the skin because of dust and pollution and neglecting neck care. Skin allergy caused by constant wearing of ornaments around your neck could also be the culprit. It is all the more embarrassing if this discoloration is too distracting. And if this marked difference between the skin colors of the face and the neck makes you overtly self-conscious, don’t just sit back, do something about it.

A crepey neck can be improved by regular cleansing, and by scrubbing with a soft nail-brush (try the plastic bristled ones) to work away dead skin and improve the circulation. Also cream it lavishly for softness and smoothness.You could also bleach the skin around your neck to improve its color.

Want to try your hand at some home-based treatments for your darkened neck? Then treat it with some of these packs made from mundane household items from your kitchen and bathroom.

* Dip a towel in hot water. Wring the towel to squeeze out excess water. Now dab this towel over the darkened areas so as to give steam to your neck, almost like a sauna.

Repeat several times. This not just lightens the skin discoloration but also slightly melts the fat around your neck.

* Grind fenugreek (methi) leaves to a fine paste and extract its juice. Mix this juice with besan (gram flour) or powdered sprouts of your choice. Apply liberally on your neck and let it stay for 15 – 20 minutes. Then wash off.

* Apply Rice Kanji water over darkened areas of your neck for about 15 minutes. You could even apply this to any of your darkened areas such as armpits, under your thighs etc.

* Using light strokes with the palms of your hands, massage your neck with fresh, preferably home made butter for 5 minutes at least once in a week. Use upward movements and don’t pull or stretch the skin unnecessarily.

* Mix vinegar with a coarse powder of wheat grains. Apply for about 15 minutes and then wash off.

* Take the squeezed half of a lemon and sprinkle table salt and turmeric over it. Rub this lemon over the darkened areas of your neck.

* Mix multani mitti (fuller earth) with rose water and apply it on your neck and wash off after 15 minutes.