when exercise videos advise checkup with doctor

[catherine]

..... Do you all go and have a checkup with your doctor before starting an exercide regime or do you just wing it?

I really want to get started with my exercising, but I can't get an appt. with the practice nurse. So I'm wondering whether I should just go ahead and start without getting the checkup first. It has been several years since I did aerobics, although I do a lot of walking. What do you think?

 

[Rajah]

I didn't. But, I'm also doing low-impact stuff that I know my body can handle. I know my limits. And, I've had 4 different doctors trying to get me to do some kind of exercise for 10 years, so I think they'd approve. LOL! I think whether you talk to your doctor first or not really depends on you. What's your health, physical state, do you know your limits and how not to push yourself beyond them? Do you have any health problems that might interfere with exercise or a history of injury? Do you have something like a hurt knee or similar that could make certain types of exercise dangerous? A heart condition that would require you to monitor your pulse better or something? It all depends on the individuals, I think. I think as much as any real warning, the videos *have* to put that paragraph up to protect themselves. By warning people not to follow any exercise program without first consulting their doctor, if people decide to just jump in and then hurt themselves, the video company has a leg to stand on to say "you were warned".

 

[Jacova]

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite fitness instructors, Tony Horton (from Beachbody) - and I'll have to paraphrase:

The warnings should actually state "Consult you physician before you DON'T start an exercise program"

Excercise is your friend. It makes you healthier, stronger and feel better. Just remember to listen to your body and don't do anything that is painful, or let yourself get too out of breath (you should be able to carry on a conversation), and you'll be fine. Just remember to start slow, and push yourself only when you are able to.

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