Exercising Tips

Now that you have made a commitment to take care of your body by exercising more, overdoing it can lead to more health problems. Here are a few exercising tips to keep in mind as you work through your routine.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke - Heat-related illnesses can be a common occurrence when exerting energy in the outdoors or poorly ventilated indoors. Two primary contributors can be alcohol consumption and not enough water. Three types of illness include heat cramps, which are very painful and might be combined with headache or nausea, heat exhaustion (which is more serious and includes vomiting, chills, headache, dizziness, among other symptoms), and heatstroke (which is the most dangerous, and if not caught and treated immediately, can be fatal or lead to permanent brain damage or coma). For all three of these, particularly the last two, the best action is prevention. If you notice that your heart starts beating too fast and you feel light-headed, get out of the sun. Wear loose fitting clothing, preferably made from lightweight cotton as well as light colors. Drink LOTS of water. Even if you do not feel thirsty, drink anyway. You should always stay clear of salt tablets unless you have first consulted with your physician. Stay away from alcohol, soft drinks, caffeine, or heavily sugared drinks. Take frequent breaks and if necessary, stop for the day. If you do believe you are in trouble, seek medical attention immediately. It is far better safe than sorry!

Check Your Pulse - As you exercise, keep track of your pulse rate. You can pick up an inexpensive pulse meter at any local Wal-mart, KMart, or sporting good store that will measure your heart rate to ensure you are staying within a healthy range. The rate is measured by counting the beats of your heart in a set amount of time, usually about 15 to 20 seconds, and then multiplying the number of beats to get your number of beats per minute.

Relaxing Your Mind - When you stretch your body in preparation for exercise as well as after exercise, you need to relax your mind. When your mind is relaxed, your body follows. To relax your mind, listen to soothing music, relax your breathing, and use visualization techniques such as Yoga. Another exercise discipline that is very popular and works is the Pilates program.

Sweating - Your body was created with a built in cooling system while exercising, called sweat or if you prefer, perspiration. On television and in magazines are numerous advertisements encouraging deodorant for exercise when in actuality sweat is a vital key in a good workout. When your body heats up o exertion, sweat is doing the job intended — keeping the body cool.