Exercise: Are You Doing Too Much Or Too Little?

Exercise is directly linked to nutrition, of course, because when you exercise you burn carbohydrates, use proteins, and burn calories, as well as sweating out water and other nutrients which must be replenished. It is pretty ironic, actually. No matter how much it is recommended, you really can exercise too much. Everyone knows that they should drink plenty of water, but too much water can be dangerous as well. The same goes for working out there are all kinds of different injuries you can experience from over exercising.

Therefore, in terms of exercise, or, perhaps if you are trying to remain active even into the later years of your life you will need to challenge yourself and be sure that you are working your muscles in the most beneficial way possible. At the same time not to do damage your body so you have to notice and differentiate between good pain and bad pain. You already know (especially if you have been working out for awhile) that it is good to feel the burn, but there are bad kinds of pain that you may experience these indicate that you might want to ease off a bit. Injuries from overexerting your self can be damaging in a way that you really do not want. In fact, some injuries will leave you with limited athletic ability, despite the considerable amount of good that physical therapy can do.

Many people used to exercising frequently are surprised and virtually crushed when they experience injuries that can not be fully repaired. It is vital that the body be properly cared for, and you want to maintain your maximum mobility for as long as you can. Just be sure to listen to your body. Certain kinds of pain are the bodys way of telling you that you need the muscles, tendons or any kind of sports injury, to rest a while. Just like a fever tells you that you are sick, the wrong kind of pain can be an indication of something very bad.

On the other hand, it has been said that to stay in good shape you only have to exercise twenty minutes three times a week this claim has since been recanted by many. Therefore, some people still think that if they do this amount of exercise they will be just as healthy as they need to be. Perhaps, but this is not likely. It has been found that more and more people see increased benefits from exercise that is on an even more frequent basis. Firstly, a one hour workout program is now most commonly recommended by professionals. It is common opinion that the average person should do some sort of workout, forty-five minutes to one hour in length, on a very regular basis. It is often suggested that you do such a workout four or five days a week if you tend to be more active on the weekends. If you are not very active normally, the perfect amount of exercise is closer to an hour (or so) five to six days a week. You may want to extend that time a bit with some extra stretching in the process of your warm-up or cool down.

Warming up your muscles before a workout is always very important, but especially if you are relatively inactive (physically) during the day this is a step you never want to skip. Many athletic injuries are due to the muscles not being properly prepared for the strength that is typically normal for you. Therefore, when someone who is dedicated to a workout of any kind is injured (pulling a hamstring muscle, for example) it may come as a surprise and is often the result of skipping or skimping on your warming up exercises.

Cool down exercises are important as well, as a matter of fact, most aerobics instructors, dance teachers, personal trainers and other fitness professionals will add a full ten minute cool down to their lesson plans. As an aerobics and dance instructor myself, I reserve at least five minutes at the end of the workout for every dance class I teach for both children as well as adults. Nonetheless, the older the age group the more warming up I will put in my lesson plans, and the longer the cool down exercises will be. We must remember that as we grow older our muscles become weaker despite our efforts to defy age.

On the other hand, both young and old can maintain a youthful, healthy, and strong physical condition. Realize, if you are getting older, that you will not be able to perform as perfectly as you did in your twenties, however, and choose an exercise plan that pose little to no risk of physical injury. The exercise program you chose may mot be your high school favorite, but the primary focus, especially as your body changes, should be one regarding your health and not so much your recreational preferences. The rules are: 1) Challenge yourself have physical goals to reach gradually through swimming, yoga, aerobics, walking, or whatever you choose to do. 2) Do not push yourself too hard. Know the difference. 3) Consult your doctor regarding what kind of exercise would be best for you.

Find an exercise plan you will enjoy. And I always recommend getting a second professional opinion as well this is your health, in fact, your overall quality of life we are addressing, after all. Please, this is no insult to anyone nonetheless we all know that human beings in general, (including doctors) can make mistakes. So consider it a professional double check for the purpose of your life, and for the rest of your life. Good health and happiness to all of you. Read more of my articles on health, exercise, and injuries.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on health and fitness, please visit americanfitness.net, supplier of high quality Cardio Equipment and Elliptical Trainers.

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