New Year. New Goals? Avoid Those Aches & Pains!!

So by now, most of us are back into the work routine, kids (if applicable) back in school and the New Years resolutions hopefully still intact.

For those who have decided to get fitter & healthier in 2013, here are some tips to help you achieve your goals while maintaining a healthy body.

• Goals
• Stretch
• Hydration
• Pace
• Recovery

Set realistic goals

• Don't push yourself too quickly, especially if you haven't exercised in a while. 
• Take things at your own pace, and gradually increase the intensity / frequency only when you feel ready
• This will ensure that you have less risk of injury and more chance of maintaining your fitness programme

Choose appropriate stretches for your chosen activity

• Stretching is an important part of exercising, and helps reduce your risk of injury
• Pre and post event stretching is important, many experts now feeling that dynamic stretching is more beneficial, particularly before undertaking your activity
• Make sure to do some warm up too which involves increasing your heart rate. This will help get oxygenated blood to the muscles, and again help to reduce injury risk.

Importance of Hydration

• Make sure to drink water before, during and after your exercise, to replace water lost during activity
• Water is vital for our body, as indicated by the infographic

Pace Yourself

• Make sure you don't do too much too quickly, give yourself rest days, this  allows your body more time to recover - again lowering your risk of injury.
• Post activity muscle soreness is very common. Sometimes this is referred to as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and can be felt up to 48 hours after exercising.
• DO NOT continue exercising if you are experiencing any pains. This is your body's way of letting you know that something is wrong.
• Stop exercising, look after the pain and seek advice from a practioner or therapist. Look after any niggles you may have, before they escalate into a more serious injury.

Recovery; Epsom Salts Bath 

• These baths can be an excellent way to remove toxins from the body.
• The Epsom salts are made up of the mineral magnesium sulfate. When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin (like in a bath), it draws the toxins from the body.
• Other benefits are that it can sedate the nervous system, reduce swelling, and help relax the muscles.

"Treat your body, as you would your best friend, especially when injured: listen, have patience & give it the best of your attention"

You only have one body so look after it!

Wishing you all a very Happy & Healthy New Year. We look forward to looking after you again this year.