Now that the weather is turning cooler, you may be planning to start or resume a fitness program. Starting and sticking with a fitness program is a good way to improve your health, increase your energy, and manage some health problems. Here are some things to consider:
- Should I be doing this? Talk to your doctor before beginning any fitness program. This is especially important if you have any medical issues.
- Is this supposed to hurt? It is common for fitness activities to result in muscle soreness, especially early in one’s program. However, if you find yourself crippled for days after a workout, you probably did too much. Similarly, joint pain during or after a workout is a large red flag, telling you to back off and possibly seek the services of a medical professional.
- Where are those 18” biceps and the 32” waist? Be patient — actual physical, observable change is not going to happen for at least 4 weeks. Find some comfort in the fact that you are benefiting your body in ways that cannot be seen.
- This is boring — Part I: Find a partner to workout with — you will be much more likely to stick with your program.
- This is boring — Part II: Vary your program — use different machines, different exercises, swim, take a class, bike, strength train, etc. Cross training like this can get you in shape, keep things interesting, and give parts of your body a chance to rest.
- I weigh more now than I did when I started this program!! Fitness programs are not about losing weight — they are about losing fat and gaining lean muscle mass. You may weigh the same, but you will look better and feel better.
- I’m working out now, so I can eat anything I want. Maybe, maybe not. Just try to eat intelligently — you need to feed the machine, not break it.
Just to repeat — talk to your doctor prior to beginning any type of fitness program. If you have any exercise related questions, talk to a PT, trainer, or fitness professional.