Q. I am so happy the weather is changing, and I want to start exercising. I am a little afraid to start. I don’t exercise, and I don’t want to hurt myself after a long winter of sitting around.
A. Exercising is so important, and it sounds like you’ve made it a priority. That’s great, but I do understand how you might be a little fearful of starting a routine. My first recommendation is to seek the OK from your doctor.
Your physician should know what your new routine might be, especially if you don’t typically work out. Next, I recommend starting slow. If you are doing a workout on your own, it is important to minimize any risk for injury. You don’t mention your age but this is true for all of us.
One of my friends just started working out and her number one priority is making sure she doesn’t hurt herself while trying to be physically fit. What I like is that she’s not giving up on starting an exercise program. Rather she is realistic about her ability to dive in.
So, again, if you are going to exercise on your own, start slow. This means allowing plenty of time to warm up and stretch, even if taking a simple walk is your new activity.
If you want to step it up a notch and work out at a gym or community center, I recommend signing up with a fitness coach, who could get you started on a safe routine. It’s important to work with someone who understands the body as it relates to age. What I mean by this is to work with a coach who understands the difference between a 30-year-old body and an 80-year-old body.
A good coach won’t push too hard, thus causing more harm than good. Once you get comfortable in a routine, you can go it alone. If you need a little push, ask a friend to be your exercise buddy. You’ll enjoy working out, and there will be plenty of laughter and fun mixed in.
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