Are you considering beginning an exercise plan?  Have you previously worked out regularly and then gone on to lose the fervor you had when you began?  Are you only just now emerging from winter hibernation?  Well, if your objectives are to lose weight, to look better, feel better, improve overall health, or any of the myriad reasons to start or resume an exercise program, here are some important initial considerations.   Regarding specific exercises and routines, I plan to address these a little later.  I think it’s important to begin with some basic general concepts, namely:  medical clearance, defining your exercise goals, preventing early injuries, and staying motivated to keep the process going.  Just a few tidbits today about being physically able to begin a routine and setting fitness goals before starting: First and foremost, you must be certain that it is safe for you to begin a specific exercise program.  You should first consult your physician if you:

• Have heart disease, high blood pressure, or ANY other chronic medical conditions
• Have ever had chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness at rest
• Are over age 50 and have not exercised regularly
• Are pregnant
• Have been inactive for over a year

 Once you have been cleared to work out (if necessary), you need to ask yourself why you want to exercise.  The potential benefits include weight loss, increased stamina, less stress, “improved appearance,” superior immune function, enhanced mental function, new friends/contacts, and decreased heart disease/cancer/high blood pressure/cholesterol.  All you have to do is decide what you would like to pursue!  Having specific reasons for exercising is important because this makes our workouts more meaningful, an important mechanism for staying motivated and keeping things going.  When we have exercise goals, we develop a real sense of purpose behind our efforts, and we also gain an objective means to monitor our progress along the way, depending upon our specific goals.  Am I losing weight?  Do I feel more energized?  Is my blood pressure improving?   It’s not necessary to have an exhaustive list of goals, just a general idea of what you hope to accomplish with your exercise program.  But please remember: try to be realistic about your fitness goals so you don’t become discouraged early on should you fail to meet your goals right away.  The end result is a greater likelihood that you will stick to your plan and not burn out in six months or less.   Stay tuned for more on passing through that portal to physical fitness:  avoiding potentially disastrous musculoskeletal injuries early on and strategies for keeping the dream alive!  Happy Wellness Wednesday!