Questions before Starting to Exercise
by: Kyle Kirshenbaum
Exercising is a very easy to begin, however with the wrong exercises, it is very easy for one to dread working out. When picking your exercises and exercise methods it is imperative that you keep these questions in mind:
How Should I Talk to my Doctor Before Exercising?
Usually it is fine to start exercising without the initial approval of a physician, however if one would jump into extremely strenuous exercise, start at an age of 50 or older, or have a history of medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, it is imperative that you contact your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program.
How Can I Decide What Types of Exercise to Do?
Before you begin an exercise program for depression, here are some questions you should consider:
- What physical activities do I enjoy?
By picking exercises you enjoys, it makes working out a fun experience, making you look forward to working out, rather than dreading it
- Do I prefer group or individual activities rather than working in a group?
Keep in mind that if you are not entirely dedicated to achieve your final goal, a group will help you push yourself to new limits. However, be careful with who you chose to work out with, because those who do not possess similar work ethic will only drag you down
- What programs best fit my schedule?
Some workouts take hours to fully complete, while others take very little time. You must identify what body parts you want to strengthen and schedule specific exercises to fatigue the muscles in your given time frame.
- Do I have physical conditions that limit my ability to perform any exercises?
This is the most important question of all. You must know your medical limits before committing to any exercises. Without this knowledge there is a possibility of pushing yourself too hard and thus causing permanent damage.
- What is my final goal through these exercise programs?
This is very important to identify before working out. By identifying one’s goals, you will know what specific exercises to do to cause these results. Also, by having these goals set, you will have a specific image or feeling to strive for, which helps keep one’s dedication to exercise alive.