Fitness

by : Tebyan.net

Almost anyone, at any age, can improve his or her health by doing some type of activity. But, check with your doctor first if you plan to do strenuous activity (the kind that makes you breathe hard and sweat) and you are a man over 40 or a woman over 50. Your doctor might be able to give you a go-ahead over the phone, or he or she might ask you to come in for a visit.

You can still exercise even if you have a long-term condition like heart disease or diabetes. In fact, physical activity may help your illness, but only if it's done during times when your condition is under control.

During flare-ups, exercise could be harmful. If you have any of the following problems, it's important to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program:

• a chronic disease, or a high risk of getting one-for example, if you smoke, if you are obese, or if you have a family history of a long-term disease

• any new symptom you haven't talked about with your doctor

• chest pain

• shortness of breath

• the feeling that your heart is skipping, racing, or fluttering

• blood clots

• infections or fever

• unplanned weight loss

• foot or ankle sores that won't heal

• joint swelling

• pain or trouble walking after you've fallen

• a bleeding or detached retina, eye surgery, or laser treatment

• a hernia

• hip surgery

Safety Tips

Here are some things you can do to make sure you are exercising safely:

• Start slowly. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them. Doing too much, too soon, can hurt you, especially if you have not been active.

• Don't hold your breath while straining-when using your muscles, for example. That could cause changes in your blood pressure. It may seem strange at first, but the rule is to breathe out while your muscle is working, breathe in when it relaxes. For example, if you are lifting something, breathe out as you lift; breathe in when you stop.

• If you are taking any medicines or have any illnesses that change your natural heart rate, don't use your pulse rate as a way of judging how hard you should exercise. One example of this kind of medicine is a type of blood pressure drug known as a beta blocker.

• Use safety equipment to keep you from getting hurt. That means, for example, a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging.

• Unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, be sure to drink plenty when you are doing activities that make you sweat. Many older people tend to be low on fluid much of the time, even when not exercising.

• Always bend forward from the hips, not the waist. If you keep your back straight, you're probably bending the right way. If your back ‘humps,’ that's probably wrong.

• Warm up your muscles before you stretch. For example, do a little easy biking, or walking and light arm pumping first.

Exercises should not hurt or make you feel really tired. You might feel some soreness, a little discomfort, or a bit weary, but you should not feel pain. In fact, in many ways, being physically active will probably make you feel better.