About Exercise

Built-in Air-Conditioner

Your body was created with a built in cooling system, called sweat or if you prefer, perspiration.
On television and in magazines, you will find numerous advertisements encouraging deodorant for exercise when in actuality; sweat is a vital key in a good workout.
When your body heats up do to exertion, sweat is doing the job intended – keeping the body cool.
Therefore, do not try to squelch sweating, accept it.


Breath in – Breath out

You might wonder what breathing has to do with fitness and the truth is it has a lot to do with it.
When exercising, there is a proper way to breath that will help you with the appropriate amount of oxygen into the system but will also help you with endurance.
For example, marathon runners will tell you that they use a rhythm when running that allows them to runner longer and healthier than normal breathing.


Be Realistic

It would be great to be able to jump right into a hard workout, feel great, and see instant results.
However, it is important to be realistic about several things. First, you need to understand that you more than likely will not (or should not) start out with a hard workout if you have not been in a regular exercise routine. Start out slow and do not set yourself up for failure by expecting miracles overnight. Getting fit takes time and with commitment, you will reach your goals.


Stretch the Mind

When you stretch your body in preparation for exercise as well as after exercise, you need to stretch your mind as well.
You might be wondering how and why. When your mind is relaxed, your body follows.
To achieve a relaxed mind, listen to soothing music, relax your breathing, and use visualization techniques such as Yoga. Another exercise discipline that are very popular and works is the Pilates program.


Check your Pulse

As you exercise, it is to your advantage to keep track of your pulse rate.
You can pick up an inexpensive pulse measure at any local Wal-mart, K-Mart, or sporting good store. This 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.
For example, if your pulse at 20 seconds were 40, since there are 60 seconds in a minute, you would take 40 times three for a total rate per minute of 120.


Cool Down

Just as warming up for exercise is important, cooling down after exercise is just as important.
Once you have completed your workout, take five to 10 minutes to walk, or stretch to allow your body to cool down.
This is very important for the muscles and joints and for the heart and lung.



(Note: This article is the opinion of the author and may or may not be substantiated by scientific fact.)