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OUR PHYSICIANS:
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Working out is great... just don't overdo it
With 2012 here, many people are looking toward springtime and don't want to face bathing suit season with lots of extra winter pounds.
While being motivated to workout is a good thing, now is a time we see more injuries.
Physical therapists say they'll start seeing people trickling into their offices near the end of January. That's because they are so eager to start that resolution, they often times overdo it. Trainers alike say those heading to the gym need to remember to take it easy those first couple of weeks.
Tim Weathers doesn't make New Year's resolutions.
"I think they're promises to be broken," he said.
But like many in the Grand Valley, he's looking to hit the gym and get in shape this year.
"I'm definitely motivated in getting back in shape, getting back to where I was," Weathers said.
Living a healthier lifestyle and getting into a routine isn't a bad thing.
"Your New Year's resolutions, you're quite ambitious and wanting to train hard. And for many people, they can continue training and not have an issue," physical therapist Bryan Whitesides said.
But for those who are a little too eager to work out (there is such a thing), they may want to tone it down a notch if they haven't seen the gym for a while.
"Injuries really occur when people want to pick up where they left off 20 years ago, and you can't," Crossroads Fitness personal trainer John Ball said.
"It'll take probably four to six weeks before the overuse injuries start piling up," Dr. Mark Luker said.
Local trainers and medical specialists say they will see knee, lower back and shoulder injuries toward the end of the month.
"People who are really [out of shape] and then start a heavy exercise program can get away with it for a few weeks. Then their body just starts giving way," Dr. Luker said.
If you're looking to get healthy, you must start off slow.
"You want to start gradually and build up into your exercise program," Whitesides said.
"Tone it down a notch. Take it down, keep it reasonable. You have a whole year to meet that goal," added Ball.
Stretching and warming up will help, and it will also benefit those easing back into regular fitness to hire a trainer.
"I'd rather work with somebody who knows what they're doing, rather than coming down to the gym and hanging out," Weathers said.
A little soreness or discomfort is normal when getting back into the flow of things... But if you push it too hard and get injured... You may find your motivation slip completely...
Trainers and doctors say a warm up and cool down are vital to staying healthy and free from injury. When people are healthy, they'll be more likely to continue working out further into the year.