Fitness basics
Learning Center
Fitness tip: Include your friends
Exercise doesn't have to be drudgery. And you don't need to go it alone. Sign up for a group exercise class or join a softball, soccer or volleyball team. Work out with a friend at a health club or gym. Start a walking group with friends and neighbors.
Fitness: Take it 1 step at a time
When it comes to fitness, give yourself something to work toward. Start with simple goals and then progress to longer range goals. Remember to make your goals realistic and achievable. It's easy to get frustrated and give up if your goals are too ambitious. If you haven't exercised in a while, a short-term goal might be to walk 10 minutes five days a week. An intermediate goal might be to walk 30 minutes five times a week. A long-term goal might be to complete a 5K walk.
Going up? Take the stairs
Work a little extra activity into your day by skipping the elevator when you can. Start by taking the stairs anytime you go up or down one floor. Then work your way up to three or four floors or more. Better yet, make climbing stairs a workout in itself.
Is exercise a chore? No more!
You're more likely to stick with an exercise program if you're having fun. If you're not enjoying your workouts, try something different. Join a volleyball or softball league. Take a ballroom dancing class. Trade your running shoes for a swimsuit. Remember, exercise doesn't have to be drudgery.
Miss a workout? Don't give up!
If you're too busy to work out or simply don't feel up to exercise, take a day or two off. Be gentle with yourself if you need a break. After all, it's OK to be flexible. The important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can.
Need a gym to get fit?
You don't need a gym membership to get in shape. You can fit physical activity into your daily life by doing things you enjoy outside of the gym. Play pickup basketball, go biking or walk around the park. Lift some hand weights while you watch your favorite TV show. Take the stairs at work or when shopping. Or take an exercise class through your community.
Need motivation to exercise? Try a diary
Have you started a workout program? Good for you! Record your efforts to track progress toward your goals. After each workout, record these items: 1. The date. 2. Your activity (swimming, lifting weights, volleyball). 3. How long you exercised. 4. How you felt afterward. Having a chronicle of your improvement can be a great source of motivation.
No pain, no gain? No way!
When it comes to exercise, the "No pain, no gain" mantra is bad advice. Exercise shouldn't hurt. At most, you may feel a little muscle soreness when you do a new workout or activity. If you feel pain, dizziness, nausea or shortness of breath during exercise, stop. You may be pushing yourself too hard.
Stress and headaches: Stop the cycle
Stress can make your head hurt, and a headache can really stress you out. Either way, you can rein in the pain with these tips to keep stress under control: 1. Simplify. Ask yourself what really needs to be done and what can be dropped. 2. Delegate. Look over your to-do list and delegate what you can. 3. Laugh. Staying positive with humor is a great way to relieve stress. 4. Relax. When you feel your muscles begin to tense, breathe deeply. Focus on inhaling and exhaling deeply and slowly for at least 10 minutes. 5. Exercise. Regular exercise provides a healthy break from the stress of daily life.
Too sick to exercise?
The common cold doesn't have to keep you on the sidelines. Mild to moderate exercise is usually OK if your symptoms are all above the neck, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or minor sore throat. However, if your symptoms are below the neck, such as chest congestion, a hacking cough or upset stomach, delay your workout. And don't exercise if you have a fever, fatigue, widespread muscle aches or a contagious illness.