You don’t have to be a keep fit enthusiast to heard the expression ‘ no pain, no gain’.
Apart from its association with exercise it also applies in other walks of life. The difference is that as far as getting fit and into tiptop condition goes it isn’t strictly true.
Of course if you have been a couch potato for years and then start into even a gentle exercise program you are more than likely to experience some soreness and uncomfortable stiffness in the muscles.
This is normal and can be expected. However there are other aches and pains that are more serious.
Pain in the joints, bones and back, strains in the ligaments and tendons and muscle strains bordering on the agonizing are bad and are symptoms of over enthusiasm by embarking on an exercise program that is just too rigorous and can cause long term problems that will seriously affect your good intentions to get fit.
If you experience any of these painful symptoms while exercising or shortly after just stop, back off and think about what you are doing and the consequences.
This is the way to start up a beneficial keep fit program that will make you feel revitalized and healthier and ready to take on more exercise challenges without endangering your health.
First of all you must feel healthy enough to even contemplate a get fit program, if any doubt consult your medical adviser.
Next, do not be tempted to embark on a program that will expect you to exceed your normal physical limits. The program should be progressive, starting from a low enough base that will not cause you to have the pain we have talked about.
You will find that with sensible planning and an awareness of your body’s reaction, that you can gradually increase the duration and tempo of your exercises.
Remember that for most of us exercise routines are a chore so plan to introduce variety to your keep fit program to stop you getting bored. Your mental attitude is important, you really do need to focus on your targets and think of every means to keep your enthusiasm up.
The most obvious is to appreciate that feeling of well being and pride in your body as you work through your routines.
Some think that the more you sweat while exercising the more fat you are getting rid of – totally untrue. This is just the body’s way of maintaining its optimum temperature.
The evaporation of the sweat from the skin helps to cool the body, the fluids and salts have to be replaced ASAP otherwise there is a danger of dehydration and that can also be a painful and debilitating experience.
Take no chances, keep your body topped up with fluids while exercising whenever you feel the need. It will make no difference to your weight!
Some people, women in particular avoid weight training because they think that the bulky muscled look is not attractive. Whether or not this is true is a matter of personal opinion.
It is a fallacy that weight training, unless taken to excess, will lead to a bulky, over muscled body. Taken as a part of an overall physical fitness program, meaning a variety of aerobics, stretching etc., the benefit will be of replacing fat tissue with lean tissue.
Because lean tissue is less bulky than fat tissue the effect is a trimmer, leaner body without significant weight loss.
Finally nature has the last say. No exercise program can target an area of the body to lose weight, only to increase muscle definition in the target areas.
Men generally look overweight in the abdominal region and yet some of the strongest men look to have more than ample stomachs.
Genes play their part but also appearances are deceptive, that is not fatty tissue you can see but solid muscle. Men, you can do this.
If you have a big soft belly, just work out with a comprehensive exercise program, you may not look much slimmer but you too can have tummy muscles to die for.
Ladies your problems are more difficult. You now know that you will not lose much weight just by exercising, your problem areas are your hips, buttocks and thighs.
The fatty tissue in these areas must be turned into much leaner muscle tissue and only exercise can do that. Get working out and you will be able to see the results in a trimmer you, even if your scales tell you that you haven’t lost even a pound.
lose the weight there is no practical alternative to a controlled and balanced diet and essential will power.
Not easy but the fact that you are visiting this web site shows you are conscious of your physical problems and want to know what to do about it.
Well now you know! The rest is up to you, but feel free to contact us on our comments area and we will try our utmost to encourage you and help you with any problems you tell us about.
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