Your Body's Talkin'! Listen to it!!

As a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, I am fascinated by the numbers of people who workout through pain. Let me make this very simple: pain = something's not right = not good = ouch! Pain is an indication that something is not right with the body. Be kind to yourself, and your body, and stop exercising if that particular exercise is paining you! You do not have to feel pain to improve your level of fitness, but you may exerience mild discomfort. Mild discomfort is not pain. "Mild discomfort" means that you are pushing yourself, and can feel it, but can work with it and through it. It is not a sensation that is limiting. After exercise stops, the discomfort should subside, as well. A novice exerciser may have difficulty deciphering mild discomfort and pain. Mild discomfort may be moderately labored breathing or lactic acid building in the muscles. Pain will be limiting and very uncomfortable to work through. It's also important to distinguish where the sensation is being felt. Any discomfort in the joints or bones is not good and could become chronic pain. Over time, the exerciser will learn to distinguish between muscular, cardiopulmonary, and joint sensations. But, until that time, suffice it to say, pain = no gain. If it aches, put on the brakes!