No matter what your goals are everyone realizes the importance of being healthy. It is fundamental that everyone desires a flatter stomach or thinner thighs but what it necessary to make that happen comes in many varieties.
For some getting a walk in every other day is a lofty goal. Others feel like their day doesn’t go quite right if they don’t get a little exercise in each and every day.
Now before I give you the SINGLE most important questions you must ask yourself I must be diligent in ensuring fitness is something you can actually add to your life.
Lets get real, you wouldn’t buy a used car without starting the engine right?
Therefore you need to check your own oil before tying up the ol’ sneakers. As an American Council of Exercise Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) it is my duty to offer up the following information.
A YES to any ONE of the following questions means you should talk with your doctor, by phone or in person, BEFORE you start an exercise program. Explain which questions you answered ”yes” to and the activities you are planning to pursue.
- Have you been told you have a heart condition and should only participate in physical activity recommended by a doctor?
- Do you feel pain (or discomfort) in your chest when you do physical activity? When you are not participating in physical activity? While at rest, do you frequently experience fast, irregular heartbeats or very slow beats?
- Do you ever become dizzy and lose your balance, or lose consciousness? Have you fallen more than twice in the past year (no matter what the reason)?
- Do you have a bone or joint problem that could worsen as a result of physical activity? Do you have pain in your legs or buttocks when you walk?
- Do you take blood pressure or heart medications?
- Do you have any cuts or wounds on your feet that don’t seem to heal?
- Have you experienced unexplained weight loss in the past six months?
- Are you aware of any reason why you should not participate in physical activity?
If you answered “no” to all of these questions, and you passed the first round of questions, you can be reasonably sure that you can safely take part in at least a moderate physical activity program.
But again, if you are a man over 40 or a woman over 50 and want to exercise more vigorously, you should check with your physician before getting started.
Now that we have learned what is necessary before getting started lets get to the nuts and Bolts of any successful program. My sons tell me that if I type in all caps on the Internet, I am yelling. So the next sentence is in all caps so you recognize the importance of this statement. Okay?
WHAT WILL ACTUALLY GET YOU OFF THE COUCH AND GET MOVING WHEN YOU REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE IT?
There you have it. The single most important question you need to ask. Don’t decide to start a swimming program if you hate the pool. If you have an knee injury then no matter how many of your friends and colleagues are doing that 5K race for a cure to Cancer, you won’t train because it will hurt and you will hate every minute of it.
But ask yourself, “What will you do?”
- Will you vow to walk the dog 15 minutes 2x a day?
- Maybe you will dust off the bike in the bake of the garage?
- How about taking all the clothes off the treadmill in your office that has been collecting dust for past few months? (Years!?! OUCH)
- or maybe you need a social group so you head down to your local fitness center and join a class.
I don’t care what it is but do something you WILL do. In the weeks and months to come I will be happy to give you ideas and programs to motivate, inspire and keep you moving. Stay tuned.
