When Not to Exercise

Published May 20, 2010

We all know that we need to exercise even though we don’t always do it. However, there are times when we should not exercise, as the exercise will be harmful rather than helpful.

After eating, we need to wait until our food digests before exercising. Our brain is constantly deciding where to direct blood flow in our bodies.

When we exercise, such as jogging, we need the blood flow to our muscular system. When we eat, we need the blood flow to our digestive system. When there isn’t enough blood to satisfy both systems, you will feel pain and discomfort from the area that is being shortchanged.

While smoking isn’t good for you at any time you should definitely not smoke for two hours before exercise. Smoking interferes with the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood. The result is your muscles and heart will not have enough oxygen to perform the exercises.

And you should not exercise after consuming any alcoholic drink. Exercising after drinking alcohol can cause heart problems.

You should also avoid exercising in hot weather. If you do, you place yourself at risk for heat stroke, dehydration and cramps. Exercising is particularly risky if the weather is both hot and humid since your body has problems cooling off in humid conditions. If you live in a hot or hot and humid climate, plan your exercise in the evening or early morning when the weather is coolest. Also be sure to drink water before, doing, and after exercise to avoid dehydration. Remember, when you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

If you are ill, suspend your exercise routine until your body has time to heal. This is particularly true if you have a fever. Your body has a tremendous capacity to heal itself. But trying to exercise an ill body places additional stress on your system and sometimes will even cause the illness to get worse.

What you need to do if you are sick is to get as much rest as you possibly can. Take it easy and give your body the time and support it needs to heal. And when you do get well, return to exercise gradually, reducing the time and intensity. Then slowly build up to your pre-ill performance levels.

If you have a chronic medical problem such as diabetes, heart disease, or pulmonary illness, you need to have your doctor approve your exercise program including the time you exercise as well as the type of exercise you engage in.

With some medications, your exercise has to be coordinated with the time your take the medication. Certain medications require that exercise be scheduled two to four hours after taking the medication but never just before. Your doctor can tell you which exercises are beneficial for you and how to coordinate them with your medication schedule.

While, in hot climates it is desirable to schedule your exercise in the cool times of the day such as early morning and late evening, you do want to be sure that you do not exercise less than three hours before going to bed. Exercise will help you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly but these beneficial effects will be lost if you work out too close to bedtime.

Your body benefits the most from exercise that is sensibly planned.

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When Not to Exercise

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