Is my devotion to the gym normal?
Dear Pepper,
A year ago, I was introduced to the whole fitness scene. I’ve accomplished a lot since – I even entered a competition and was placed in the top five! My entire life is now dedicated to the gym, I don’t even feel the need for a boyfriend and as a result, My friends think that I’m being obsessive. That doesn’t bother me, it’s just that since recently I’ve been trying to get more muscular and defined body (not big) but my body seems to be constantly sore from lifting heavier weights. The gym instructor told me not to worry but is this a normal reaction when you increase the weights in your workout?
-Yolan T
Dear Yolan,
I think that motivation is related to an individual personality. Some persons will exercise beyond their physical abilities while others progress with their exercise below their target heart rate range.
What I suspect is happening to you is you are piling on too much too soon and this will soon cause you to become discouraged or injured. When you are thinking of planning a workout, here are some tips you should follow:
-Take about 2 weeks to get used to any increase in weights before attempting to make the workout longer or harder
– Do not progress to more difficult workout if you feel extreme soreness
– Your commitment to exercise is for a lifetime so a sensible progression cannot occur too slowly. Be patient and you will avoid injury and discomfort during exercise.
I rarely ever say the four letter word, QUIT, but there is a place and a time when it is absolutely necessary if you are injured or even if the possibility exist as a result of over-training. Here are some pain levels I have read about and experienced:
Level1: pain that is present after you have finished exercising but goes away that same day.
Level 2: Pain that starts during exercise but is not so bad that you cannot continue.
Level 3: Pain that starts with the exercise but limits you from doing the exercise properly.
Level 4: Pain that continues even when you are not exercising
***Without attempting to play doctor, if in doubt always consult your doctor.
Levels 1&2 usually can be helped with ice application and reducing exercise intensity and duration. Levels 3&4 – STOP! Seek your doctor’s advice!
Exercise is good but can become addictive so don’t let it become a negative addiction that keeps you from listening to your body – know when to pull back. I have been there.
-Pepper
Pepper Dawson is a fitness professional & the owner of Sweat Shop Fitness Club in New Kingston. Write to Dear Pepper, c/o all woman at Jamaica Observer, 40-42 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5 or
E-mail:sweatshop6@hotmail.com.
