Healthy Living

Will Working Out Improve Or Aggravate My Health Condition?



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In theory, working out should make you not only fitter but healthier too. 

However, if you have an underlying health condition, working out can feel overwhelming. Will embarking on a fitness journey make you feel better or worse? 

Ultimately getting fit can be uncomfortable when you are dealing with a health issue, even a benign one. So the real question you want to ask is how to manage your health when you start your fitness journey? Here is what you need to know to create a workable workout plan that puts your health first. 

You need a realistic recovery plan

Everybody needs to schedule recovery time. Even athletes can’t afford to spend all their time on active physical exercises. The body needs to rest and repair itself after working out. Your underlying health issue can prolong recovery times. Therefore, you need to keep in tune with your body when you create your fitness plan. It is best to spend an extra day recovering than to face potential injuries. Additionally, you could also get in touch with your doctor to figure out whether you need any supplement or recovery aid. If you have stiff joints, for instance, you could consider supplements that support joint health. If you are lethargic and have low energy, you could find it easier to include energy-boosting supplements before and after working out. The bottom line: You should help your body through the training program. 

You need to plan for plateaus

What is a plateau? In fitness language, a plateau is when you don’t seem to make any progress. Hitting a plateau can be disheartening and unmotivating. However, your health issue could be the cause of the plateau. For people who have an underlying health condition, consistency is key to manage plateaus. You are feeling tired, even though you take energizing snacks before your workouts. This could be caused by a hidden issue such as sleep apnea. You can learn to monitor your sleep and figure out if you’ve got sleep apnea with online resources such as the Wellue Health Blog. Sleep apnea means that your body can’t fully rest at night. Therefore, you are feeling tired during the day too. Training will not boost your energy levels. But it will help to lose weight, which is one frequent cause of sleep apnea. In short, stick to your routine and you’ll see the end of the plateau. 

You need to measure your performance

Fitness trackers can help to keep an overview of your performance. But they are not suitable when you are at the start of your fitness journey. Instead, keeping a fitness journal, as recommended by Women’s Health Mag can offer a more satisfying approach. You can all write down how you felt during each workout. Results may not become visible for a long time, but keeping track of minor health changes can go a long way. It helps you adjust and tune in with your body. 

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In conclusion, working out can help your body deal with existing health conditions. It can eliminate some issues completely over time. But, more importantly, it is a learning curve during which you figure out how to listen to your body. The right level of challenge can be beneficial to everyone. But for individuals with a health issue, it’s important to let your body guide you. 

Karla Urwitz
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