Injuries During Exercise May Kill Motivation
By Tom Herrin
For those who have ever made a decision to improve health only to be stopped in their tracks, a little caution and care may make all of the difference. Getting up the interest and drive to do something can be a great start, but all the air can be let out of that effort once people experience some kind of injury. No one wants to do anything simply to be in pain and have no gain in the process. When people refer to "no pain, no gain," it obviously is not about having a physical injury. Using a few precautions may change that potentially disastrous workout into one that is productive.
Start Slowly
It is important to understand a little about how the body works. Muscle tissue must have a supply of blood in order to do what it is designed to do. The blood provides the nutrients to fuel the body and the oxygen provides what is needed to make the fuel burn. It is much like a fire. When people stretch and warm up, they are increasing blood flow and expansion of the blood vessels. In order to have an effective exercise session, people need to warm up long enough to make this happen. After completing the session, they need to cool down as well. This can allow the heart to return to more normal levels.
Never Try to Prove Something to Yourself
Having made the commitment to exercise is sufficient to get started. Beginning the workout with reasonable physical stress is something that makes sense. If it is lifting weights, it is unwise to begin with a large amount of it. If it is running, starting out with multiple miles is not the best. The body needs to build up slowly by doing a little at a time and increasing in small increments. It won't be long until you'll be able to move up and make progress.
An Ounce of Prevention, You Know
There is much to be said about preventing anything. It is true in driving, working, or about anything else we do. If we want to achieve our goals regarding physical improvement, we must do whatever is possible to prevent going backward. We all live and learn. I am certainly no exception to that rule. I have had plenty of times in which I have made poor decisions and ended up with some sort of injury that may have been easily avoided, if we maintain a certain level of consciousness about it, we may stay relatively free from those injuries and have successful sessions.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Hollywood, Calif.