Obesity is one of the risk factors in many serious diseases like diabetes, heart ailment or gastro-related illnesses. Man?s present lifestyle has made it almost impossible to avoid fatty foods. A closer look at the most-sought after restaurants for busy people includes diners that offer quickie but fat-filled meals. Added to the proliferation of tempting food outlets is the busy schedules of people who barely have enough time to meet their family, much more to exercise. There are those who make an effort to lose a few pounds but are hampered by their busy schedules. One strategy to keep up with a regular exercise despite one?s busy schedule is to buy exercise machines that can be used for a few minutes during one?s free time, anywhere. If you have a busy schedule, what you need is a machine that you can keep in the office or in the house, and which can be easily stored in a small space. One of the most practical exercise machines is the treadmill. It may cost more than the other exercise machines but it has proven effective to most people who look at exercise with disdain. Most people dread the times when they have to use their exercise machines because these are either too complicated or a tad difficult to operate. Using treadmills can come naturally for most people because what it requires is the basic walking and running skills, two skills that come naturally among humans. If you have a tight budget, there are manual treadmills which operate simply by treading or walking on the rubber. For those who have more money to spare, there are electronic treadmills that measure the calories lost, miles traveled and other exercise data. No matter what treadmill you choose, you will definitely be able to recoup such investment in a short time as you will be able to stay on the machine longer than any other exercise machines. Experts said that high-end treadmills with a motor horsepower of 1.5 or 2.5 continuous duty should be preferred. Also choose treadmills with a longer warranty period for their motor. You can avoid getting injuries by doing some stretching first before starting out on the treadmill. Begin your treadmill exercise by walking and getting the hang of the machine. Do not try any antics as you can fall off the treadmill if you try running without getting too familiar with the machine. You may be excited when you first get hold of the machine but a 20 minute walk using the treadmill two to three times a week would be a good start. Gradually increase your speed and frequency as you get more comfortable with the machine. Walking on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes every session will help you lose fat. However, always check with your doctor before doing any exercise routine to make sure you are not aggravating any physical illness. Other people use their treadmills while watching television or listening to their favorite music. The secret of a successful exercise routine is not just a good exercise machine; you also have to enjoy what you are doing.