(8/2020) In this article I will answer some frequently asked questions. Hopefully I will answer some of your questions. People know they need to hydrate their body but are not sure exactly how to do it. We have been told to drink eight glasses of water a day. Many people ask if they can count their coffee, tea or other beverages to make up their water intake. I have heard some nutritionists and doctors say it is OK to include these drinks. Personally, I tell my clients they can have their coffee but still need to get the day's hydration from water. I have always learned that any drinks with caffeine are de-hydrating, that's why I like to get the water to be sure.

Walking is a great exercise, especially if you are just starting an exercise routine. People sometimes think they walk all the time at work, shopping and during their everyday activities but there is a difference in walking to get somewhere in daily chores and walking for exercise. Starting a walking program to improve your health and burn some extra calories means walking at a brisk pace for a longer amount of time than you normally would during the day. It's good to start slow and don't overdo the distance at first.

Take a short walk the first few days until you feel it's time to increase the distance. Once you feel safe with that, add a little more speed to your walk and then maybe even include a hill for an extra challenge. Using a walking tape or program on the TV is also a great way to start, especially in the hot weather. Remember to take water with you to stay hydrated. I know many people do not like plain water so the flavored ones are a great way to get your daily amount as long as they are low or no sugar. Always check with your doctor if you have any health conditions before starting any new exercise routine.

Another question that some people wonder about is will they get too bulked up if they lift weights. The answer is no. The people that get bulked up are the body builders. They purposely use heavy weights to build their muscles to that extent. There are different types of weight lifting for different outcomes. You will get toned and build muscle but you will not look like a bodybuilder unless you are training for that so give weight lifting a try if you are interested. You should have some guidance and instruction from a trainer or at the very least do some research before you start a program. There is a risk of injury if you start with weights that are too heavy or do a workout that is stressing your muscles to much. It is important to start slowly with light weights and gradually increase the weights and repetitions.

Anytime is a great time to start exercising. I have been told, well I never exercised why should I start now. You are never too old or too young to start an exercise routine. The main thing is to choose the right one for you. Start with something you are interested in and go from there. Doing something you like will keep you interested and looking forward to your workout. Dancing, bike riding, weight lifting, walking, jogging, tennis or whatever you enjoy will keep you motivated to do something everyday. Again, remember to check with your doctor if you have any health conditions before you start any exercise and start slowly.

Movement is your friend even if you don't like it. Keeping active everyday is the best thing we can do to stay healthy. I hope I have answered some of your questions. If you have any questions that have been preventing you from starting to exercise, please ask them. Getting started is the hardest part. Once you get into a daily habit of exercise, you will feel better and look forward to it. Sometimes you have to push yourself to take that walk but you feel so much better when you are finished.

Remember to Keep Moving!