Written by:

Adam Powell, DPT and Steve Milliron PT, ATC

Encore Sports Medicine – Hoover, AL

“There are three important factors that help shape your life.  Family, friends, and fitness have an enormous impact on your well-being.  These facets can provide encouragement, confidence, and self-esteem.  Your most joyous occasions are made exceptional when you are healthy and surrounded by loved ones.  These pillars shape us mentally, physically, and emotionally.  Your family, friends, and fitness are integral pieces to your health.

We acquire habits and beliefs from our parents, siblings, and close friends.   You are much more likely to perform daily exercise if you surround yourself with individuals that share the same goals.   Recreational activities are vital to your mental and physical health.  They provide an escape and release from the stress and monotony of your everyday life.

Everyone agrees that the most difficult aspect of exercise is getting started.  You have to maintain the motivation to make it a habit.  In these instances, it is helpful to draw from the support of your companions.  You have the opportunity to positively influence the health of your loved ones.  We all should provide support to our loved ones that are experiencing difficulty in becoming physically fit.

A regular daily exercise routine will change your life.  It will provide you a sense of accomplishment and will result in improved self-worth.  Exercise gives us an opportunity to achieve goals and track progress.  It is truly amazing how the human body improves itself through physical training.  Exercise will have a dramatically positive impact on a sedentary individual.

Your body becomes stronger, more flexible, and more tolerant by increasing your physical demands.  Everyday tasks will be accomplished with greater ease and efficiency when you are physically fit.  Both the young and the elderly will benefit from an exercise regimen.  It is important that you choose a form of physical activity that is both rewarding and fun.  You will not continue to participate in an exercise routine that you consider “very hard” or a “chore.”

Easy everyday activities are beneficial to your health.  Simply walking, whether in a group or alone, is an excellent form of exercise that can be performed indoors or outdoors.  Whether it is a quick walk around the block, or a long walk in the mall, walking is an effective tool that will improve your general well-being.   Walking with a group of neighbors, church members, significant others, etc. serves as a time for bonding and communication.  Walking alone provides a time for reflection and relaxation.

You may find that formal exercise classes are best suited to meet your needs.  Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Crossfit, step aerobics, and cycling groups have all become quite popular.  The social component to this form of exercise is what many find intriguing.  They enjoy this type of activity because they find that the utilization of an instructor improves their form and technique.  Group exercise is an excellent strategy to ensure your enthusiasm and adherence to a new routine.

Exercise can be quite intimidating to beginners.  You may be more comfortable receiving experienced direction from a qualified personal trainer or coach.  This is a way to achieve your goals if you desire one on one guidance and supervision.  Video workouts such as P90X, Insanity, etc. are great tools if you want the structure of a formal class but the freedom to perform your routine at any time or location.

Is summary, there are multiple forms of physical activity that will positively influence your life.  You must find an exercise routine that you enjoy.  You will positively impact the health of your friends and family by encouraging them to get active and stay active.

If you have any questions regarding starting your new exercise routine, please call (205) 682-7650 and talk with Steve Milliron, PT/ATC, Tim Sirmon, DPT, or Adam Powell, DPT.  They see patients daily at Encore Sports Medicine on 2801 John Hawkins Parkway on Hwy 150 in Hoover, AL.

Adam Powell and Steve Milliron helped put this article together.  Steve is a physical therapist and athletic trainer in the Hoover area over the last 20 years.  Adam is a recent graduate from UAB and licensed physical therapist for Encore Sports Medicine.  He is married and lives near Hoover. ”

*It is important to note that one should consult with their physician prior to starting a new exercise routine.