Exercising- How to Get Started and Stay Motivated

A consistent exercise regimen has a lot of health benefits. Among them are fighting coronary heart disease, helping in the treatment of high blood pressure, raising levels of good cholesterol or High- Density Lipoproteins, aiding in digestion, strengthening bones, and most probably even combating cancer. Aside from fighting heart disease, it also plays an important role in the treatment of respiratory disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Furthermore, exercise boosts your energy and makes prepping up in the morning easier. It improves muscle tone, burns body fat, and promotes flexibility. It can also make you feel strong, better, and relaxed. 

According to experts, devoting at least 20 minutes of exercise time to your daily routine can make exercise work for you. Consulting your physician and submitting yourself to a check-up or physical exam before you begin an exercise regimen is highly recommended to avoid experiencing more serious health problems in the future especially if you have been currently physically inactive. If you are obese, overweight, over 45 years old, or have any health problems, it is a must that your doctor permits you to begin any exercise routine. If you’ve been active, use these tips to guide you:

- You should be able to hold a conversation with someone when you exercise. If you are gasping for air or panting while you talk, it means that your exercise regimen is too difficult for your current fitness level. 

- If you experience having pain in the middle of your chest that lasts more than two minutes, which may or may not be accompanied by pain in the arm, get medical help immediately. 

- Exercising should be painless. If you experience heaviness in your chest, breathing difficulty, or any pain in your body parts like the nape, neck, back, chest, and limbs, you should slow down. If the pain is still there, you must stop exercising. Visit your physician and describe what happened including the time which the pain has occurred. 

- If you feel exhausted for at least a day after exercising take it slow and easy. You’re pushing your body too hard. It’s okay to rest. 

- If you feel like vomiting or are excessively tired for an hour or more after exercising, it was too strenuous for you. You should feel energized, not lethargic. If you feel a dizzy or light-headed feeling, it’s time to discontinue. 

- If you are having sleepless nights or your nerves feel weak, it means that you’ve been pushing too hard. The same is true if you seem to have lost your vigor or if you can’t catch your breath after a few minutes of exercising. 

- If you have any questions about excessive fatigue, pain, or discomfort, see your physician right away.

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