My own exercising dos and don'ts
Do exercise to music with words. Don't exercise to wordless music or audiobooks. Lyric-less techno music has a great rhythm to keep pace to but I catch myself looking at the clock a lot because the only thing to focus on is the passage of time. I tried listening to an audiobook but had difficulty keeping a good pace, it sapped my energy. I listen to music I'm familiar with. I have oldies pop/rock (60's & 70's music) and more contemporary pop/rock (most of it is 80's music with some Asian pop and a little techno). I like to mouth the words along with the song (not enough breath for singing) and after 7-12 songs my workout is done.
Do wear light weight clothing. Don't dress too warmly. Today I decided to wear my sweat pants with my lightweight t-shirt instead of my light weight capris. The temperature has dropped the last few days and it's freezing outside. My tired morning brain thought that would make the house cooler. Chalain is home sick today so I turned up the furnace thermostat a couple of degrees. Then I went upstairs to exercise. I had to open a window because my face was overwarm and I was getting a headache. Better for me to be cool that hot.
Do drink enough water. Don't eat too much before hand. I try to drink at least a glass of water before I exercise. If I don't I get terribly thirsty while working out. I'm not coordinated enough to drink while using the elliptical; I end up with more on me than in me. Also if I haven't eaten anything before exercising in the morning I get very hungry about half way through. So, I eat a single serving of flavored low-fat yogurt which gives me a little protein and carbs, I wait 30 minutes then exercise. If I eat too much or exercise immediately after eating my stomach gets upset. After I drink a glass or two of water and eat a regular breakfast.
Do stretch at the beginning and end. I find warming up and stretching at the beginning of my workouts prevents muscle cramps and side stitches during my workouts. Stretching afterward increases my flexibility and just feel good, cools me down and relaxes me.
Do have a small towel on hand and tissues. I forgot my little towel the other day and had to mop my sweat with my t-shirt, it didn't work very well. I don't mind being damp while working out, having a towel keeps me from being soggy. Exercise also makes my nose run so tissues are a must. I will not wipe my nose with my towel then use it to wipe my sweat, ew gross.
Do wear light weight clothing. Don't dress too warmly. Today I decided to wear my sweat pants with my lightweight t-shirt instead of my light weight capris. The temperature has dropped the last few days and it's freezing outside. My tired morning brain thought that would make the house cooler. Chalain is home sick today so I turned up the furnace thermostat a couple of degrees. Then I went upstairs to exercise. I had to open a window because my face was overwarm and I was getting a headache. Better for me to be cool that hot.
Do drink enough water. Don't eat too much before hand. I try to drink at least a glass of water before I exercise. If I don't I get terribly thirsty while working out. I'm not coordinated enough to drink while using the elliptical; I end up with more on me than in me. Also if I haven't eaten anything before exercising in the morning I get very hungry about half way through. So, I eat a single serving of flavored low-fat yogurt which gives me a little protein and carbs, I wait 30 minutes then exercise. If I eat too much or exercise immediately after eating my stomach gets upset. After I drink a glass or two of water and eat a regular breakfast.
Do stretch at the beginning and end. I find warming up and stretching at the beginning of my workouts prevents muscle cramps and side stitches during my workouts. Stretching afterward increases my flexibility and just feel good, cools me down and relaxes me.
Do have a small towel on hand and tissues. I forgot my little towel the other day and had to mop my sweat with my t-shirt, it didn't work very well. I don't mind being damp while working out, having a towel keeps me from being soggy. Exercise also makes my nose run so tissues are a must. I will not wipe my nose with my towel then use it to wipe my sweat, ew gross.