Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well with the Carrie Connection

It's that time of year again...time to renew old resolutions or make new ones. Whatever the case may be give yourself an energy boost by starting your new year with a fun fitness routine!

Check out the following tips for how to get started:

Tip #1: Talk with your doctor.

It's important to discuss your fitness plans with your doctor, especially if you are over 40, overweight or have any circulatory or orthopedic problems. Your doctor will be able to help you decide what type of plan would be best for you.

Tip #2: Find out which activities you like

There are many fun activities to help you become physically fit! Some examples include: hiking, dancing, bicycling, walking, gardening, playing with your kids or swimming. Remember, exercise does not have to be strenuous to be effective! Whichever activities you choose, change your routine often so that you don't become bored.

Tip #3: Start out slowly

If you are not involved in a regular exercise routine right now, start slowly. It's not realistic to expect that it will only take a few short weeks of exercise to get your body in great shape. If you begin with that mentality chances are you will push your body past its present limitations and cause an injury. Be smart and build your routine up slowly over time.

Tip #4: Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week

Thirty minutes of exercise on most days is a great goal to work towards. If you are just beginning an exercise plan, however, you may want to start with 10-15 minutes of exercise and build up to the goal of 30 minutes over time. Listen to your body when you're exercising. If you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, pain or any other unusual symptom, slow down or stop. See your doctor if the problem persists.

Tip #5: Stay motivated

This is the key to sticking with your fitness plan. One way to stay motivated is to try new activities don't get caught in a fitness rut! Another way is to find a partner to exercise with or join a fitness class that meets on a regular basis.

Finally, remember to take a step back from time to time to see how far you've come. Are your muscles stronger? Do you have more energy? Are you less stressed? These are a few of the benefits that most people experience after beginning a fitness plan...and you can too!

For more information on keeping fit in 2001 contact the Nevada County Extension Service at 887-2818.