Q:

Hi, I have started a new aerobics program and I exercise 30 minutes a day. I exercised Monday and Tuesday non-stop 30 minutes and by then I could already feel sore, then I took a break Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday. I am planning to exercise Saturday and Sunday as well and I was wondering if I can still get good results even though by Wednesday I don't feel sore so it's like I am not doing real exercise.

 

A:

The old saying, "No pain, no gain," is an unfortunate thing. One need not endure pain to have one's exercise be beneficial.

The most common mistake that people starting an exercise program make is to do too much too soon, and get hurt at it. That discourages them from exercising, and they often never get back to it.

My recommendation would be for a slow start and adoption of a routine of either daily or every-other-day exercise that you can be comfortable doing, and then gradually build up the duration and intensity until you are doing at least 45 minutes daily (need not be in a single session), 5 days weekly on average. The most important thing is to get in the habit of regular exercise, and schedule it as you would other important activities in your life.

~The Doc