There Might Be a Good Reason You Hate Exercise… Now What?

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You can stop beating yourself up over the fact that you’re not motivated for a heavy workout at the gym. Scientists have found physical reasons why some people thrive on exercise and some consider it a form of torture. Everyone’s body chemistry is different, and our particular body chemistry and biological functions can determine if exercise is a pleasure or a chore.

A study performed by researchers at Iowa State University found that people have very different levels of physical capacity for exercise. Some people who are mostly sedentary will reach their physical capacity from doing something as minor as cooking a meal. Even taking a walk would be more than they could manage.

Our physical capacity for exercise is based on what is called the “ventilatory threshold.” In most people, when at rest, the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled is equivalent to the amount of oxygen taken in. When we exercise, we pass the ventilatory threshold and begin to expel more carbon dioxide than the oxygen we receive. This causes the muscles to begin to build up lactic acid and the body to create a stress response. For most people, the ventilatory threshold appears when they are at about 50% to 60% of their maximum exercise capacity. For sedentary people, this can be as low as 35%.

People’s mental attitude toward exertion makes a difference as well. Some people enjoy the feeling of pushing their muscles to the limit and sweating, whereas others just find it unpleasant.

So if you are someone who generally hates to exercise, what can you do to help become more motivated? First of all, start slowly, particularly if you have been sedentary for a while. Pushing yourself at the beginning of an exercise regime will only make you feel bad and will discourage you from exercising in the future. Start with a gentle form of exercise that takes weight off your feet, such as water aerobics or bicycling.

Consider taking up a social form of exercise. This can involve joining a class or even just enlisting a friend to walk with you for half an hour each day. Having the support of others can help with motivation.

Media can be a good motivator as well. Watching a TV program while on the treadmill or listening to stimulating music on your MP3 player has been shown to help people push themselves harder when they are exercising.

Finally, engage in a physical activity that you feel competent doing. Many currently fit people were picked last for team sports when they were younger. But sometime between then and now, they either tried again or tried something new and found they were good at it. If team sports are not your thing, try dancing or some other activity that gets you moving.

Any amount of exercise is good, so don’t feel that you have to live up to someone else’s expectations of how athletic you should be. If you enjoy whatever it is you’re doing, you will be far more motivated to continue doing it.

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Automobile Head Restraints Prevent Injuries – Use Them Correctly!

auto accident injury wilmington ncMany people are under the mistaken impression that the head-sized extension at the top of your car’s seat is a head rest. It’s actually not a place to rest your weary head during a long drive, but rather a safety feature called a head restraint that is there to help prevent whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. And having it adjusted properly can mean the difference between emerging unscathed and enduring weeks of neck pain, along with the cost and inconvenience of medical treatment.

Whiplash

Whiplash is the most common type of injury in an auto accident. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has conducted studies showing that the proper use of head restraints can reduce the incidence of whiplash by as much as 40%. Russ Rader of the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) explains what happens when you are involved in a rear end collision: “The head restraint is designed to work with your vehicle’s seat; it keeps your body and head moving together. The problem comes in if your head lags behind your body and snaps backward. That’s what leads to neck injury, or what’s commonly known as whiplash. Modern head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash, and that’s why they’re so much taller than they used to be.”

Uncomfortable Head Restraints

One problem is that some people find the newest head restraint designs to be uncomfortable. Some of the common complaints from users at Automedia.com include this one from the owner of a Volkswagen Jetta: “The front headrest points so forward that I get neck pain after just a few miles of driving.” Then there’s this one from a Subaru owner: “Unless you enjoy your face aiming toward your crotch, you may not be able to find a comfortable position for the headrest or your head.”

Head Restraint Guidelines

One of the reasons for the above complaints is that, in order to get good reviews from the IIHS (many people check the IIHS’s ratings for vehicles before they purchase a car) and comply with the regulations established by the Federal Government for head restraints, auto manufacturers must provide head restraints that meet specific criteria. In particular, the head restraint must be no more than 2.2 inches from the driver’s head and it must be two or more inches higher than was previously required.

A head restraint can prevent whiplash only if it is as close to your head as possible when a collision happens. When hit from behind, your head snaps quickly backward, then forward, which causes the muscles and tendons in the neck to overstretch and tear. If the head can’t snap back very far, there is much less chance of an injury occurring.

Most head restraints adjust upward and downward, and some also tilt forward and back. The best position for a head restraint is one in which the head is as close to it as possible, ensuring it is no more than two inches away. The top of the head restraint should ideally be even with the top of your head and should never be any lower than your ears.

Taking just a little time and effort to position your head restraint correctly can save you a lot of pain and suffering if you are ever in an auto accident. Your health and safety are worth it!

Contact Southeastern Healthcare for an Auto Accident Injury Wilmington NC

If you have an auto accident injury Wilmington NC, contact Southeastern Healthcare today! Schedule an appointment for a free consultation to see how we can help solve your pain.