The Magic of Exercise
Exercise....friend or foe. When watcing the exercise videos on TV, do you feel overwhelmed? "Will I look like that in 6 weeks or less?" In real life, the answer is probably "not really." But don't let that stop you. Exercise is a good thing....when done on your own terms.
The "magic" of exercise comes from making you feel good in body, mind and spirit. To be effective, you need to enjoy the exercise you do. Swim laps, walk with a friend, join a Zumba class, lift weights, play tennis or golf, take a hike, or go snow shoeing. Better still, do any three....variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to the benefits of exercise.
As a physical therapist, I carefully design an exercise plan appropriate to a patient's needs at the time. Documenting their progress ensures I know what works best for them. When they are ready for discharge, I encourage them to continue regular exercise which complements their recovery. Remaining active prevents injury recurrence and leads to a feeling of well-being. Consistent workouts can be addictive...and fun.
To ensure you are getting the most out of your exercise time, ask yourself a few questions:
- Are you achieving your goals? Weight loss, body toning, improved endurance?
- Can you "see" a difference in your body?
- Is your breathing comfortable? Short of breath or holding your breath?
- How are your muscles and joints doing? Pain, stiffness, or tenderness continue to occur with exercise?
- Does your workout leave you feeling good?
If you find nothing is changing, its time to make a change. Workout at a different time of day, vary your current exercise routine...or try a new form of workout. Be aware of your body to ensure your workouts are balanced - focus on your upper body one day and the lower part another day, focus on strength one time and cardio another. If you consistently experience joint or muscle soreness, its also time to alter your technique, change the frequency or intensity or try a new way to workout. The goal is improvement, not destruction.
Consider the level of exercise intensity to determine if your breathing is too labored.
- Easy - you should be able to maintain an easy conversation while exercising (walking with a friend)
- Moderate - you are only able to speak a few words, not complete sentences, without breathing
- Hard - it is difficult to talk while working out
Through all the sweat and fatigue, when your workout is over you should feel it was worth it.
Diana welcomes your comments
