| Fall is here but does that mean that your fitness goals | | | | new weight reduced size, but when the weight |
| will be blown way like the leaves from the trees? | | | | reduction takes longer than anticipated the tight clothing |
| Exercising at the gym can yield some amazing results, | | | | can be a constant nag. |
| but if you have not done this before you may feel | | | | 5. Many people get hung up over being over weight - |
| uneasy about starting. It is easy to think that everyone | | | | don't be! In some respects it is better to be a few |
| knows what they are doing apart from yourself. You | | | | pounds overweight as your results will be more |
| may worry about looking a klutz, or imagine that your | | | | noticeable than for slim people and you will find this will |
| body does not look as good as others, or whether you | | | | motivate you to carry on with your routine with |
| are able to do the exercises. | | | | increased vigour. Be sure and take a photo of yourself |
| At the outset this is usually OK because most gyms | | | | before you start exercising so that you have a before |
| will break you in gently just to show you the various | | | | and after record of your success! |
| exercise machines but later you may become | | | | 6. Take it east to start with. The danger is to push |
| confused unless you have engaged a personal trainer. | | | | yourself to the max straight away become fatigued |
| You may even find yourself in the unfortunate position | | | | and take a day of to recover. Missing a session |
| of not being able to remember what has been shown | | | | occasionally is OK but miss too many and you may |
| you and further add to your embarrassment. | | | | just decide not to continue. So initially at least take your |
| Stand back for a second and remember that these | | | | time and work at your own pace then you can |
| feelings are not unique to you - everyone joining the | | | | increase your tempo as your stamina increases. |
| gym for the first time feels the same. As each day | | | | 7. For some of us that are carrying a few more |
| passes your confidence will grow and within time you'll | | | | pounds than we should we may have a problem with |
| be strolling through your gym exercises with all the | | | | our stomachs being too large to fit behind some of the |
| poise of a consummate fitness pro! | | | | exercise machines - don't despair! Try building up your |
| Try these fitness tips to help you through your fledgling | | | | fitness and losing some weight on the treadmill to begin |
| stages: | | | | with before moving on to some of the other machines. |
| 1. If you're a rank amateur, you may consider engaging | | | | Also consider swimming as an occasional alternative |
| a trainer to start of with until you become more | | | | to gym exercise. |
| experienced or alternatively go along to the training | | | | 8. Most gyms and health clubs want repeat customers |
| classes with a friend, so that way you can both learn | | | | so don't be afraid to ask the staff questions. If you |
| together. | | | | have forgotten how to use a particular machine or |
| 2. Decide which days you are going to go to the gym, | | | | how to set it up for your height and weight make sure |
| and make a contract with yourself that nothing short | | | | that you get someone to help you - they need your |
| of an emergency will stop you from going. The idea is | | | | business, so ask! |
| to make going to the gym a habit just like taking a | | | | 9. When using a treadmill if you find your knee and |
| shower or brushing your teeth. Over the passage of | | | | ankle joints complaining when you increase the speed |
| time your persistence will be rewarded as the new | | | | try increasing the gradient instead. It might surprise you |
| dynamic, physically fit individual emerges. | | | | to learn that with the treadmill on an incline and on a |
| 3. Don't rely on your memory when a staff member is | | | | slower speed you will burn more calories than if you |
| showing you how to use the machines at the initial | | | | go jogging. |
| lesson but instead take a few brief notes so that | | | | 10. You need to push yourself a little to make progress |
| when you come back you have a record of what | | | | but don't be too hard on yourself either. Try exercising |
| machine does what and how you should operate it | | | | twenty minutes on the treadmill, then increase the |
| and for how long. | | | | speed or incline to push your envelope slightly. If you |
| 4. Remember to wear loose clothes or clothes with | | | | want to succeed at anything you have to put the |
| plenty of stretch. Many people go out and buy | | | | work in! |
| workout clothes that are too tight in anticipation of their | | | | |