Spring Back Into Shape This Season
Been awhile since you laced up your
sneakers or hit the gym? Don’t worry
— it’s never too late to get back into
the exercise groove, said Joseph Scott,
LAT, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer and team
leader for outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine
at SPORT, Southcoast’s Sports Medicine
Program. Scott and his colleagues help athletes,
surgical patients and others on the road to recovery
from injuries and to get back into shape.
Starting Up Safely
“Before you launch into a workout program, talk to your doctor; especially if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, arthritis or other chronic medical problems,” Scott said. “The same is true if you are older and haven’t exercised for a period of six months or longer.”
If you’re good to go, start out by picking an activity that fits you. “It’s important to know yourself,” Scott said. “For example, if you like to be around other people, choose a group activity or class. Also, know your body — if you have sore joints, consider a low-impact activity, such as swimming.”
To reduce your risk for injury, start out slowly and use the first few sessions to get used to the fact that you’re using muscles and joints you haven’t pushed for a while, Scott said. Whatever you do, don’t compare yourself to other people. “Your body is built differently from your friend’s,” Scott said. “Don’t try to match your pace with someone else’s or you could overdo it.”
Sticking with It
If you have trouble staying motivated, consider these tips:
- Mix it up. Vary your activities so you don’t get bored. Some good aerobic choices include walking, biking, dancing and rowing.
- Set realistic goals to help you stay committed. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most or all days of the week. Reward yourself for your successes, and don’t get discouraged if it takes several weeks to see results.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself if you lapse. A lot of people do. Just start it up again as soon as possible.
