Exercise should be enjoyed not painful.

Exercise should be enjoyed not painful.

Working out for personal gain or overall health and wellness can be rewarding. However, over training or over stretching can lead to injury. This is anything but gain or healthy, instead it creates setback or even take you out of training completely. There is no need to suffer to the point of disliking the workout or dreading the next one. I agree we need to push ourselves to overcome fitness plateaus, but exercise should be less about pain and more about fun.

Here are some tips to make your workouts more enjoyable:

• Choose a fitness program you like and can fit your schedule- You have the option to choose your fitness path. With so many styles of training and workout programs one can choose and personalize their own training programs to suit their goals. Programs that focus on core and strength training are recommended.
• Focus on a balanced Lifestyle - It’s good to be determined in achieving your goals. However, becoming obsessed with your workouts can leave you drained and even injured. 
• Change your mindset - Exercise is about personal well-being, which is body and mind fitness. Unnecessary mental stress to get fit leads to being counterproductive. Attitude should be towards making it a fulfilling journey and not being a serious no fun policy.
• Inspire to confidence - Seeing changes in your mind and body should be an inspirational thought, which adds confidence.

Avoiding pain and injury during your workout:

No pain no gain motto should not lead to injury and/or take you out of the fitness program altogether. So here are some guidelines to help you avoid injury.

• Warm up before your workouts and cool down after - It’s best to do light cardio before stretching then stretch. Stretching without warming up could lead to injury. More intense workouts should end with a cool down consisting of light cardio and then end with stretching.
• Use logic and listen to your body - Don’t run before you can walk. Going from inactivity to strenuous exercise could lead to injury. It’s healthy to be competitive and have enthusiasm to achieve fitness goals. However, it’s more effective to learn how to exercises properly and consistently. Finally, listen to your body: If it hurts Stop. Pushing through pain again can lead to injury and takes the fun out of your fitness journey.

Talk to the experts. They can help you start your workout program, guide you to work out properly and most importantly help you to achieve your personal goals. In addition, use your Chiropractor to help you get the most out of your exercise regime.

Dr. Elton Clemence is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located In Red Deer, AB 142 Erickson Dr ,www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment.