Taking Care of Yourself
Chances are, at this age, you can pretty much do any sport, and not complain about aches and pains afterwards, like most adults do. That's because you are more 'in movement' all day long than adults are. Sure, you sit in a desk in school for a good part of the day, but most kids switch rooms and desks every hour or so, and get things like recesses, where you are expected to go out and run around. Poor old adults have to sit still in one chair all day, trying their best not to fidget, and aren't really allowed to get sweaty on their break!
When you don't keep moving regularly everyday, it's harder once you try to start again. That's what they really mean by "Use it or lose it". When we get all couch-potato-ey, the danger is that when we do move, we get hurt. So even if you don't do sports, you might have a sports injury anyway! As a matter of fact, the less you train, the easier it is to get them! A tiny muscle has much less flexibility than a trained one, and can be waaaay more easily pulled.
Our tips? Keep moving! And don't ignore your pain! If you find that you have some discomfort, make sure to talk to a parent, coach, school nurse or doctor about it. They'll help you to do the things you need to avoid the pain (like exercise or stretching) or to heal the pain (like icing or sports-taping or physical therapy). A tight or torn muscle can lead to putting more stress on other muscles and hurting them in turn, until you do have some big old adult style sports injuries.
Take care of your body now, and you'll have it in great shape to use later on too!
Exercising in Summer
Of course, you never want to stop exercising in your life, ever! It's the only way to keep fit and healthy, and to still be able to eat all those fun foods that are part of the joy of life (as long as you don't eat them everyday, all the time!). But in the hot summer months, you may want to make some wise adjustments to your regular exercise routine. Here are a few ways to keep moving and healthy, without hurting yourself in the process.
1. Stay cool.
No, I didn't say kewl. Because this time I actually mean the temperature kind! (Anyway, you're always kewl :)) If your workout doesn't happen to take place in the water, like swimming or surfing, then you'll want to move your heavy exercise times to early morning or twilight, when things are cooler out. The early morning is the best, because there is plenty of light, and things are at their coolest for the entire day...but not everyone is an early riser, so...!
2. Stay hydrated.
That means, drink plenty of water all day long. Always have a water bottle handy, and don't forget to use it! Regular exercise will make you sweat and you need to replace that water in your body for it to function properly. Plus, the heat and sun help to dry you out more than at other times of the year.
3. Dress sensibly.
Always match the clothes to the activity as best you can. Running in jeans in summer may not be the most comfortable way to go, but if you're in an area with poison ivy or tics, you'll want to wear something breathable and with plenty of coverage for your legs. Playing tennis in flip-flops or barefoot is the surest way to end up with bloody toes (trust me on that one!). Of course, not everyone can afford to buy an outfit to go with every activity, but try to be sensible, and choose things that give you the protection you need, while also letting your body breathe in the heat!
4. Enjoy yourself!
This time of year, there are more opportunities to exercise in fun ways than at any other time of the year! Use that to try out new things, and maybe you'll find a new favorite that will carry you through the rest of the year as well. It's impossible to stick to an exercise routine if you don't like what you're doing! So keep looking until you find your fave! Have fun!
(photo:PhaedraWilkinson/morguefile.com)
