| Why do some people stop exercising before they | | | | and shoulders, work your abdominal muscles. By |
| even start? This is a question that has been on my | | | | performing your exercises in this way, you allow your |
| mind for some time. It's common place for some | | | | muscles to rest and become stronger while at the |
| people to enthusiastically pledge to get fit but after a | | | | same time maintaining physical activity by working |
| few weeks give up and return to their previous | | | | different muscle groups. On the other hand, if you |
| lifestyle. Why is this so? In this article I'll discuss some | | | | feel sharp or intense pain this is most likely an injury. |
| of the possible reasons why people give up on | | | | In this case, stop what you are doing and seek |
| exercise. I will also offer suggestions to those people | | | | medical attention. Always remember to use common |
| who have suddenly discontinued their exercise | | | | sense when you're working out. |
| regimen. | | | | Doing Too Much Too Soon |
| Commitment | | | | Some novices have a tendency to lift more weight |
| Many people fail to fully commit themselves to | | | | than their body is ready for. This can lead to injury |
| exercise. They see other people going to the gym, | | | | and embarrassment. The key is to start with light |
| jogging, bicycling, etc. and think it would be great to | | | | weights and increase the amount in regular |
| get into shape but fail to consider what it requires to | | | | increments ( 5 - 10 pound increase per week is |
| get started. Becoming physically active requires work. | | | | recommended) thereby building strength and |
| It's as simple as that. You have to do physical work | | | | familiarity with the exercise. If you're new to working |
| to make your body stronger and healthier. This | | | | out and train at a gym or fitness center, there are |
| means that you will need to set up a regular schedule | | | | staff on hand who would be able to assist you with |
| to participate in physical activity. You will have to set | | | | proper form and technique. And there is absolutely |
| aside time to go for that half an hour walk, get the | | | | nothing wrong with asking for help. Even those of us |
| bike out to go cycling at the park, work out at the | | | | who train using heavy weights (lifting amounts in |
| gym, etc. You will have to postpone watching that sit | | | | excess of 100 pounds or greater than our body |
| com on TV, or taking the snooze on the couch. If | | | | weight) ask for help. I know this first hand because |
| you are a person who has become comfortable in | | | | when performing some incredibly demanding strength |
| your old routine, developing a new habit maybe | | | | exercises I've asked for spots and spotted others. It |
| difficult, but it begins in the mind. You have to make | | | | makes no sense to show off and risk serious injury, |
| the conscious decision to do something different. And | | | | follow the motto "safety before vanity" and enjoy |
| then do that activity again and again. Eventually- and | | | | your workout. |
| this only happens if your mind is really into it- you'll | | | | Unrealistic Expectations |
| come to accept this new routine without much | | | | It's important to set exercise goals but make sure |
| thought. In other words, you'll have undergone a | | | | they're realistic. Some people mistakenly believe that |
| lifestyle change and exercise will become part of | | | | all they have to do is join a gym, workout for a |
| your identity. | | | | week or two and magically have the body of a |
| Pain | | | | professional athlete or fitness model. Sounds good, |
| We have evolved to seek out that which gives us | | | | doesn't it? But there's a major problem with this line |
| pleasure and avoid that which gives us pain. Exercise | | | | of thought: it's unrealistic. The truth of the matter is |
| is no different. If a person has just started an | | | | that strong, toned, fit bodies are not made overnight. |
| exercise program after a long hiatus, the first | | | | It takes effort, dedication, hard work, time and |
| workout is often the hardest. You'll work muscles | | | | patience to achieve lasting results. In other words, it |
| that are not accustomed to the sort of physical | | | | means you must workout for the rest of your life. |
| exertion you're putting them through. So when | | | | There is nothing wrong with desiring a well sculpted |
| you've finished the workout you're likely to feel very | | | | body, as a matter of fact this is great as a long term |
| sore. Most people are unprepared for this and quickly | | | | goal. In the meantime, though, take gradual steps to |
| give up exercise. This soreness is actually quite | | | | achieve what you want. Each person responds |
| normal and there's even a scientific name for it: | | | | differently to exercise, some people develop faster |
| delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) . You can | | | | than others. Don't rush it, take the time to learn the |
| minimize soreness by stretching, or warming up | | | | intricacies of good form and proper training and if |
| before you work out (1). If you're feeling soreness | | | | properly applied you're more likely to see pronounced |
| after an intense workout, take a warm shower. The | | | | results in two or three months. |
| warm water will soothe the muscles that have | | | | Reference |
| tensed up as a result of the physical stress put on | | | | 1. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. |
| them. Also, allow those sore muscles time to | | | | For more advice on what you can do to get off to a |
| recover; when you next go to the gym (which, | | | | good start with your exercise routine, read the rest |
| hopefully, will be within the next day or so following | | | | of the article at . "Living Fit, Healthy and Happy" is a |
| your first workout) work different muscle groups. | | | | family-friendly physical fitness resource website with |
| For example, if you've worked out on the leg press | | | | articles on fitness, anti-aging, obesity, diabetes, eating |
| machine today, work your back and shoulders | | | | disorders, cardio vascular health and many other |
| tomorrow. Then the next day, instead of legs, back | | | | health related issues. |