Take Your Time with Fitness

By Donna Stark

It’s a great feeling when you are able to reach your goals, especially after putting in a ton of hard work to get to that point. Whether it’s for your career or something more personal, it’s in our human nature to feel a certain amount of pride once the results have been achieved. But for some people, it seems that simply reaching a goal is not enough. Time is now factored in and the pressure is on to reach our goals faster! Why such a rush though? So many things can go wrong when we try to rush a good thing, and “fast” is not always the appropriate speed to obtain your goals. In fact, speeding through the process and racing toward results could actually hinder your journey rather than help.

Slow Your Roll

We all know that “someone” who resolves to get fit and gets in over their head. They look great at the onset … they dipped into their savings to buy the expensive shoes and the perfect workout gear. They buy the gym membership, enroll in all of the classes and boot camps, and have dreams of attaining that perfect body as fast as they can.

The problem with this? They’re more likely to end up sore, exhausted, and quite possibly, hurt. Taking a smart approach, rather than a quick approach, to exercise will often bring more success. Let’s look at some suggestions on how to exercise smarter.

• Slow down - If you are new to exercising, treat your body nicely and start off slow. Give your body the time to adapt to this new lifestyle so that it does not become strained or sore. And if you have been exercising for some time already and want to increase the intensity of your workout, keep the drastic measures aside. You don’t want to risk that same soreness and potential injury that will keep you sidelined for days and prevent you from reaching your goals. Slow and steady wins the race here.
• Exercise for life - Becoming fit and healthy is not something that you should approach as a temporary measure, it should be for life. The best fitness strategy is one that is established, gradual, and long-term. You want this to become a lifelong habit. And in saying that, you should always listen to what your body is telling you. Less is more in the long run. It is much better to have two easy days in a row instead of pushing yourself through discomfort and suffering any injuries.

If you are patient and consistent in your routine, the results you desire will come. You may even start to notice other benefits to your body besides those to your physical appearance during this journey. These can include increased energy levels, improved range of motion and flexibility, and better sleep. So take your time and keep your eye on the prize. There really is no rush.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in The Woodlands, Tex.