| If you are about to start a new exercise | | | | spent time recovering from an injury: that is a |
| program, and you have passed that 40th | | | | common source of compensation patterns. |
| milestone, then you need to consider a different | | | | Be aware of these patterns as you design an |
| approach to exercising. Apply these special | | | | exercise program. If you want to correct muscle |
| considerations and tips to get you on the right | | | | imbalances, start out gently. Don't be too |
| path to exercise success. | | | | aggressive at first. |
| Remember: You've lived a little. | | | | Get support. |
| It's easy to want to make drastic changes when | | | | You probably have friends with similar goals. Try |
| you're motivated. You want to radically change | | | | to find other women with similar life experiences. |
| your body. You want the body of an | | | | Support each other in your goals. |
| 18-year-old.But... | | | | Get professional coaching from a personal trainer. |
| Avoid starting at your past fitness level. If you | | | | Unless you have years of experience with |
| have not regularly exercised, participated in | | | | successful exercise programs, then don't design |
| sports, or been physically active in the last year | | | | your program alone. A trainer will:o help you set |
| or longer, then it is crucial that you get | | | | realistic, doable goalso design a program that will |
| professional guidance and start with very small | | | | work for you, ando show you the most effective |
| steps. Otherwise, you can injure yourself and be | | | | exercises for your goals |
| in worse shape. | | | | Include the trinity of physical fitness. |
| Exercise around your energy clock. | | | | Every well-rounded exercise program includes 1- |
| By the age of 40, your hormones and your | | | | Cardiovascular conditioning, 2- Strength training, |
| energy have shifted. Perhaps they are on a | | | | and 3- Stretching. |
| different clock now. | | | | It's easy to join a yoga class, follow an aerobics |
| When you plan your exercise work-outs, schedule | | | | video, or do some sit-ups and leg-lifts while you |
| them when you will naturally have the most | | | | watch TV. But you need to give them equal |
| energy. Post-lunch and mid-afternoon are typically | | | | attention! |
| low energy times. Consider exercising early in the | | | | You need to include cardio, strengthening, and |
| day. Then, your exercise gives you an energy | | | | stretching in your exercise program each week. If |
| boost throughout your day! | | | | you neglect one of these elements, your results |
| Got patterns? | | | | will suffer and your body will not feel as good as |
| If you have lived at all in those 40 years, then | | | | it could. |
| your body has developed patterns. Maybe you | | | | You're ready to get in shape with a new exercise |
| held your babies on one hip, or had the same job | | | | program. So, follow these few tips to reach your |
| requirements for a decade. Or you might have | | | | goals. |