If you have been exercising regularly for some time, you may have encountered a situation where your body simply refuses to continue. Sometimes your body is so exhausted that you can’t keep up with whatever form of exercise you’re doing.
It’s easy to get carried away while exercising and fatigue your body to a level where you’re at risk of injury. Here are some tips to avoid these types of incidents.
Listen to what your body tells you
Your body is the best judge of how far you can be pushed without injury. If you get too tired or feel weak during exercise, you should stop immediately. There are many “experts” who suggest overcoming the pain, but this is not recommended for most people.
If you feel weak or unable to continue on a given day, just pack your bags and leave. Taking a rest day won’t derail your entire exercise program. It’s better than trying too hard and having to take a few weeks off.
Keep your body hydrated at all times
Most injuries that occur when you exercise are due to a lack of fluids in your body. Your muscles may cramp and fatigue more easily if fluid levels in your body are low. If you feel dizzy or nauseated while exercising, take a breather and drink some water. If you still feel weak, go home.
Give your body enough fuel
When you do any type of weight training or exercise, your body uses a lot of energy. Therefore, you must provide your body with adequate fuel to keep it capable of high-intensity activities. You should follow a balanced diet with the right mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. If you don’t provide your body with enough fuel to recover from exercise, you will end up injuring yourself.
Advice: Immediately after finishing the exercise, you should eat a small meal with a high dose of nutrients. If you can’t eat enough real food to meet this requirement, try a sports drink or energy bar.
Beware of diets that ask you to cut out fats and carbohydrates entirely, as they can throw off your blood sugar levels.
Do low-intensity workouts and take longer breaks when working out in the heat
During the summer months, when the mercury rises, your energy depletes faster and therefore you should adjust your exercise plan accordingly. You should continue to drink water often to keep your fluid levels up. You may also consider using a sports drink to replenish your energy during your workout.
If you’re weight training, take longer breaks between sets to allow your body to recover. If you’re doing cardio, break your routine into smaller parts. If you find you can’t handle the temperature, try exercising during a different time of day.
Here are some of the things you can do to make sure you don’t hurt yourself while exercising. Many people ignore the signals their body is giving them and end up hurting themselves. Constantly pushing your body beyond its limits can have serious side effects. Remember, you must respect your limitations and build your strength and endurance gradually to reap the full benefits of your exercise routine.
