Start Working Out and Stay Ouch Free

So, you’ve made the commitment to get in shape and you are ready to get started. “But what if I get hurt?” you wonder as you lace up your new sneakers. No worries! Follow these tips for beginners’ workout success and you will be a lean, mean, injury-free machine in no time!

*Slow and steady wins the race. If you are huffing and puffing, you significantly increase the chances of giving up mid-workout. Choose an exercise plan that works for you and you will be more likely to commit to regular workouts.

*Choose low impact exercises. Putting less stress on your joints will help you to avoid injuries, especially if you have a significant amount of weight to lose. Try the elliptical machine, walking, swimming and cycling in place of a high-impact exercises, such as running.

*Make small changes. Start exercising at just 10 minutes, three to four days a week, and then increase your workout time by five minutes each week until you are putting in 30 minutes per session.

*Have a conversation with your body. A little bit of soreness and breathlessness is OK. But you should never feel dizzy, nauseous or have sharp pains when exercising. Signals like these are red flags to stop exercising and recheck your fitness plan with your doctor.

We’d like to hear from you: What steps did you take to ease into workout bliss? [MSN]