FITNESS TIPS

Consult with your physician prior to beginning an exercise program. Maybe a telephone call to your doctor will be all that is necessary.

Don't be afraid to walk through the door. Remember, EVERYONE had to attend that very first class.

Be aware of your abdominal muscles. Keep your abs "tight" throughout the day as much as possible.

Do Strength Training! Keep this thought in mind as you do your Strength Training: the more muscle tissue you have, the more fat you burn. And you are burning this fat even when you are at rest. Keep doing that Strength Training!

Drink 2 or 3 cups of water a couple of hours prior to exercising. Then, drink additional sips of water every 10 to 20 minutes during your workout.

Unless you are participating in very strenuous exercise that lasts over 90 minutes, you don't need to drink "sports drinks." Stick with water (no sugar, no calories).

Take a water bottle to class with you. It's much more convenient than going to the fountain every time you want a drink.

Keep your area free of all clutter while doing Aerobics. Don't leave your weights, water bottle, towels, keys or anything else where you might trip over them.

Take a friend to exercise class with you. You are much more apt to stick with your program if you recruit a partner.

Women are more apt to be active if they were raised in an active family. So, think about the future. If you are raising a family, set a good example for those kiddies! Be active!

Don't over do it! I know you've heard it a hundred times. And it's true, you definitely should "work at your own pace." And you should not allow yourself to be intimidated by others. You are exercising for yourself, not the other participants. They're too busy to be watching you anyway!

During your exercise session, if you feel as though you are not working hard enough, you can help to raise your heartrate by traveling. When you "move through space" (cover some ground) as opposed to exercising "in place," you will increase your level of intensity.

When exercising, keep your knees and elbows soft (slightly bent).

When you are doing Upper Body Exercises, ask yourself, "How would I react if someone dropped a piece of ice down the back of my shirt?" That is how your posture should be while doing Upper Body Exercises.

While doing abdominal exercises, hold your abs tight--keep your pelvic floor "engaged." Think about this, "Hold your abs the way you would if you were trying to zip up a pair of jeans that are a size or two too tight in the stomach."

Stretch at least the following four areas after every exercise session: the calves, the hamstrings, the shoulders and the back.

For some Fitness Tips specific to Upper Body Strength Training, click here.

To help ensure that your knees stay healthy, strengthen your hamstrings!

Another way to help promote healthy knees, when landing from jumping jacks, make sure that your knees are "soft" (slightly bent).

A weight loss tip: Be patient...Don't try to lose weight too quickly. Make gradual reductions in your daily calorie intake. And of course, exercise consistently.

Some people ask if they should be exercising every day, or if they need to take days off between sessions. You need to find your own "Balance Point" between "on" and "off" days, between "exercise" and "rest." Find out what schedule works for you. You can work out every day, but it is not mandatory to reap the rewards of exercise. The important thing is to do what works best for you.