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4,334 people and 403 teams are participating in the WOMAN Activity Tracker! |
Here is what others are saying about the
WOMAN Activity Tracker & the 2008 WOMAN Challenge!
"I will be 65 toward the end of July. I am so grateful to my daughter for telling me about WOMAN Challenge. I have completed the 8 week challenge--walked the virtual Rocky Mountain Path. I never realized how little I was doing until I wore a pedometer and had to work at getting in 10,000 steps! I needed this kick to get me moving so I can keep up with my grandsons and keep moving in life! Bravo to all of us who have moved together in this challenge." |
Learn about other
teams
in our
Team Showcase!
Name:
New Directions
Team Size:
31
Location:
Minnesota
"I decided to form a team because I find that I do better when I am accountable to others for my progress - and I'm a little competitive. I hope to inspire others to join my team and take our lives in 'new directions' by increasing our physical activity and benefiting by improving our health, energy levels and reducing the effects of stress in our lives! Let's get ready to move forward!"
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Safety Tips
Home > Activity Tracker Home > Tools to Help You Get Started > Safety Tips
Starting a physical activity program
Being physically active can help you stay healthy. But becoming active too quickly can be harmful for some people. You should talk to your doctor before you begin any physical activity program if you:
- Have heart disease, had a stroke, or are at high risk for these diseases
- Have diabetes or are at high risk for diabetes
- Are obese (Body Mass Index of 30 or greater)
- Have an injury or disability
- Are older than age 50 and have not been active for some time
- Are pregnant
- Have a bleeding or detached retina, eye surgery, or laser treatment on your eye
- Have had recent hip surgery
Preventing injury
Being physically active is safe if you take precautions. Take these steps to prevent injury:
- Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or supportive shoes for walking or jogging.
- Start every workout with a warm-up. Spend 5 to 10 minutes doing some easy stretches and movement, progressing to a brisk walk. Repeat these steps at the end of your workout until your heart rate returns to normal.
- Drink plenty of fluids when you are physically active, even if you are not thirsty.
- Use sunscreen when you are outside.
- Always bend forward from the hips, not the waist. If you keep your back straight, you're probably bending the right way. If your back "humps," that's probably wrong.
- Stop any activity if you feel very out of breath, dizzy, nauseous, or have pain. If your chest feels tight or painful or you feel faint or have trouble breathing, stop the activity right away and talk to your doctor.
Exercise should not hurt or make you feel really tired. You might feel some soreness, a little discomfort, or a bit weary. But you should not feel pain. In fact, in many ways, being active will probably make you feel better.
Content last updated June 25, 2008.
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