It's Time to Get Moving Again
By Stephen R. Farris
How many steps does it take to get in better shape? Realistically, there is no one easy answer. Most exercise gurus may tell you that you should get in somewhere around 2,500 to 3,000 steps or more each day. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for everyone.
To take it one step further (no pun intended), not everyone is on equal footing when it comes to exercising and getting in shape. Much of that has to do with the individual -- in other words, their genetic makeup ... whether or not they may have a slow metabolism, or the ability to shed pounds quickly.
Regardless, the bottom line is that not nearly enough Americans are getting daily exercise. We need to get in some type of aerobic movement (walking is good) each day that gets our heart rate up a little and burns some of that stored energy. Movement also can help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases versus just sitting around doing nothing at all.
One of the problems, for most people, is that they don't know how to get started. The best thing a person can do is visit with your primary care physician or chiropractor, and discuss your concerns about starting an exercise program and find out some of the tips and suggestions they can offer. Plus, they can tell you if you're healthy enough to begin an exercise routine. But if you're ready to begin a healthier, more active lifestyle then here's a few tips you should consider when starting out.
Start Off Small
Walking is one of the best exercises you can start off with. The key is to start off small. For instance, if you want to reach a goal of walking for at least 30 minutes each day, then begin with a 5- to 10-minute walk, then after about a week or so, bump your time up another five minutes until you eventually reach your goal.
Change Things Up
Even with exercise we hit slow points, to where it seems like we're just spinning our wheels. So it's a good idea to change things up occasionally. Mix up your routine. If you walk 30 minutes in the morning, then try another exercise like cycling, running, or swimming in the afternoon. You could walk 30 minutes one day, cycle the next, run on the third day and go for a swim on the fourth. To switch that up, on the fourth day reverse your routine, or do two per day.
The Occasional Soreness From Exercise
Occasionally, you might experience soreness from exercising, or develop back, neck, or joint pain. When those things happen, visit your local chiropractor such as the ones that can be found at The Joint Chiropractic. Their staff of doctors of chiropractic provide a gentle, all-natural, noninvasive, non-addictive alternative to pain relief without medication. The Joint Chiropractic has over 600 nationwide locations and no appointment is necessary to consult with their chiropractors.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.