Exercise: Are You Doing Too Much Or Too Little?

Exercise is directly linked to nutrition, of course,exercise is closer to an hour (or so) five to six days
because when you exercise you burn carbohydrates,a week. You may want to extend that time a bit
use proteins, and burn calories, as well as sweatingwith some extra stretching in the process of your
out water and other nutrients which must bewarm-up or cool down.
replenished. It is pretty ironic, actually. No matter howWarming up your muscles before a workout is
much it is recommended, you really can exercise tooalways very important, but especially if you are
much. Everyone knows that they should drink plentyrelatively inactive (physically) during the day - this is a
of water, but too much water can be dangerous asstep you never want to skip. Many athletic injuries
well. The same goes for working out - there are allare due to the muscles not being properly prepared
kinds of different injuries you can experience fromfor the strength that is typically normal for you.
over exercising.Therefore, when someone who is dedicated to a
Therefore, in terms of exercise, or, perhaps if youworkout of any kind is injured (pulling a hamstring
are trying to remain active even into the later yearsmuscle, for example) it may come as a surprise and
of your life you will need to challenge yourself and beis often the result of skipping or skimping on your
sure that you are working your muscles in the mostwarming up exercises.
beneficial way possible. At the same time not to doCool down exercises are important as well, as a
damage your body - so you have to notice andmatter of fact, most aerobics instructors, dance
differentiate between "good pain" and "bad pain." Youteachers, personal trainers and other fitness
already know (especially if you have been workingprofessionals will add a full ten minute cool down to
out for awhile) that it is good to "feel the burn," buttheir lesson plans. As an aerobics and dance instructor
there are bad kinds of pain that you may experiencemyself, I reserve at least five minutes at the end of
- these indicate that you might want to ease off athe workout for every dance class I teach - for both
bit. Injuries from overexerting your self can bechildren as well as adults. Nonetheless, the older the
damaging in a way that you really do not want. Inage group the more warming up I will put in my
fact, some injuries will leave you with limited athleticlesson plans, and the longer the cool down exercises
ability, despite the considerable amount of good thatwill be. We must remember that as we grow older
physical therapy can do.our muscles become weaker - despite our efforts to
Many people used to exercising frequently aredefy age.
surprised and virtually crushed when they experienceOn the other hand, both young and old can maintain
injuries that can not be fully repaired. It is vital thata youthful, healthy, and strong physical condition.
the body be properly cared for, and you want toRealize, if you are getting older, that you will not be
maintain your maximum mobility for as long as youable to perform as perfectly as you did in your
can. Just be sure to "listen" to your body. Certaintwenties, however, and choose an exercise plan that
kinds of pain are the body's way of telling you thatpose little to no risk of physical injury. The exercise
you need the muscles, tendons or any kind of sportsprogram you chose may mot be your high school
injury, to rest a while. Just like a fever tells you thatfavorite, but the primary focus, especially as your
you are sick, the wrong kind of pain can be anbody changes, should be one regarding your health
indication of something very bad.and not so much your recreational preferences. The
On the other hand, it has been said that to stay inrules are: 1) Challenge yourself - have physical goals
good shape you only have to exercise twentyto reach gradually through swimming, yoga, aerobics,
minutes three times a week - this claim has sincewalking, or whatever you choose to do. 2) Do not
been recanted by many. Therefore, some people stillpush yourself too hard. Know the difference. 3)
think that if they do this amount of exercise they willConsult your doctor regarding what kind of exercise
be just as healthy as they need to be. Perhaps, butwould be best for you.
this is not likely. It has been found that more andFind an exercise plan you will enjoy. And I always
more people see increased benefits from exerciserecommend getting a second professional opinion as
that is on an even more frequent basis. Firstly, a onewell - this is your health, in fact, your overall quality
hour workout program is now most commonlyof life we are addressing, after all. Please, this is no
recommended by professionals. It is common opinioninsult to anyone - nonetheless we all know that
that the average person should do some sort ofhuman beings in general, (including doctors) can make
workout, forty-five minutes to one hour in length, onmistakes. So consider it a professional double check
a very regular basis. It is often suggested that youfor the purpose of your life, and for the rest of your
do such a workout four or five days a week if youlife. Good health and happiness to all of you. Read
tend to be more active on the weekends. If you aremore of my articles on health, exercise, and injuries.
not very active normally, the perfect amount of