Tips to kick off 2013 for a healthier, happier and more active YOU!

At this time of year we’re all looking for ways to improve our fitness levels and lose the extra weight we gained over the holidays.  According to the experts, the most effective way to get back on track in 2013 is to eat right, do some form of exercise and get proper rest.  They also recommend that before starting any rigorous exercise or diet program, you should visit your doctor.

Baptist Health South Florida can help you. As the proud sponsor of Wellness Wednesdays, a weekly blog on WSVN7, we have produced a series of interviews and tips from marathoners, medical experts and sports professionals who will show you how to accomplish your goals and kick off the new year for a healthier, happier and more active you!

The series, which began December 13, will continue until the ING Miami Marathon on Sunday, January 27. Many of the people you will meet throughout the series are “regular” people who made a resolution to become healthy and enjoy a better lifestyle.

Meet Thomas San Giovanni, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Doctors Hospital who specializes in conditions of the foot and ankle.

All exercise programs require some sort of warm-up and training routine to help prevent injury. Injury prevention is a major reason why runners and other serious athletes train so hard.

Dr. San Giovanni offers a few valuable training “musts” to guide you along your path to good health and injury prevention.  He suggests that before you start any exercise program, you wear proper shoes.  According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, this means you need a shoe that provides adequate support and is comfortable.

He also recommends that you learn how to measure your “sweat rate,” the new buzzword in athletic circles.   Sweat rate is based on the amount of liquid your body loses after an hour of exercise, and he suggests you find more information on the Web. By calculating your sweat rate, you can better evaluate what you should drink to replace your lost liquid.

Dr. San Giovanni’s mantra to all sports enthusiasts is “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” adding that drinking plenty of water is the key to preventing injury. “If you should experience any pain during your training, you should stop, hydrate and massage,” he said. “If your pain does not go away, you should seek medical attention.”

Tags: injury prevention, sweat rate, Thomas San Giovanni M.D., Wellness Wednesdays