Self-help - starting an exercise programme

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, don’t start a strenuous exercise programme suddenly. Read on for some tips

By Miriam Stoppard

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, don’t start a strenuous exercise programme suddenly. Consult your doctor to see how unfit you are.

If you’re overweight, or have recently had surgery or been ill, you must start carefully. A history of bronchitis, back pain, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure or heart ­disease means that you should take medical advice first.

Muscles need to be stretched and conditioned but they should never be made to burn or ache. To prevent injury, warm up before you start and cool down after. Stop exercising if you feel breathless, dizzy or in any kind of pain.

If you want to take up a sport, do you want a solitary activity such as jogging or a sociable one such as golf or tennis? Make sure you have the right shoes whatever you decide to do. Swimming is probably the best all-round exercise.

A general rule after the age of 35 is that activities such as cycling, horseback riding and badminton are best. As you get older, jogging isn’t suitable. The hammering of your feet on the ground can cause joint problems in the legs and spine.

If you join an exercise class make sure the instructor is qualified to teach, not an amateur.

Source: Daily Mirror

Picture credit: Daily Mirror