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- $Unique_ID{BRK01174}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{No Gain Without Pain?}
- $Subject{exercise pain aerobic musculoskeletal system stretching muscles
- low-impact swimming light weight lifting aerobics lifestyle lifestyles
- exercises exercising muscle}
- $Volume{M-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- No Gain Without Pain?
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- QUESTION: I believe you when you encourage us to get more active, and
- probably would try, but when I speak to people who seem to know they tell me
- that there is "no gain without pain". Sorry, but I am a coward and can't see
- the sense of damaging my joints and enduring more aches than I already have.
- You will have to do a better job to convince me.
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- ANSWER: You're right--there is no upside to causing yourself injury in order
- to improve your health. However, your question is based on some common
- misconceptions regarding exercise.
- First of all, throw that "no pain, no gain" concept out the window where
- it will probably hit one of the masochists who believes in it on the head (a
- sensation that person will no doubt enjoy). It's simply not necessary to
- exercise to and beyond the point of pain to benefit yourself. The best
- approach is to condition your muscles slowly to deal with higher levels of
- performance. A little soreness in the days after stretching unused muscles is
- normal, but pain during exercise is a no-no, and a cue to stop or avoid
- putting stress on the tender area.
- Nor are the body's joints automatically subject to damage during
- exertion. A variety of low-impact exercises, including swimming, light weight
- lifting, and simple aerobics will benefit your health without risking your
- body--while mixing a variety of options will keep your exercise program from
- growing stale and boring.
- A little exercise can go a long way too--as little as three weekly
- workouts lasting 20 to 40 minutes each can extend life and help fight
- cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. You can check with your local "Y" or
- exercise center to find out about programs that will put your fears to rest
- and your body to work. And check with your own doctor, who may be able to
- advise you of exercises that may benefit your personal health, as well as the
- limits that you should respect.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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