When you’re following a medical weight loss plan and begin to exercise, you might hear the phrase, “no pain, no gain”. Yes, exercise can be uncomfortable, but is it true that you actually need to be in pain?

Actually, no! While it is normal to experience slight discomfort or perhaps a bit of breathlessness, we do not expect you to feel pain during exercise! In fact, you should take note of these five signs that you might be overdoing your exercise routine.

You feel nauseated. This could be a sign that you’re working yourself too hard. Or, it might simply signal that you’re either too full or too hungry when you exercise. Take note of when this symptom appears, and adjust your workout time to see if that fixes the problem.

Your muscles are shaking. You might be suffering dehydration or low blood sugar. Drinking water and/or having a snack before your workout can fix this problem. But shaking could also be a sign that you’re overworking your muscles, and won’t be able to hold proper form during exercise. Lower your weight resistance if this happens, or you could risk injury.

Cramps. Muscle cramps during exercise can be a sign of dehydration, so take steps to prevent that. But if it continues, don’t try to push through serious pain. Stop your workout for the day, and see a doctor if the problem recurs.

A side stitch. A cramp in your side can just be a normal reaction to intense cardio exercise, and should go away as you get more fit over time. Dehydration can play a role, so make sure you’re drinking enough water. However, if the pain continues up into your left shoulder, this could signal a heart attack. See a doctor right away, just in case.

Dizziness. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing up quickly from a seated or prone position, this is usually quite normal. But if these symptoms appear during exercise, schedule an appointment with a doctor.

Come see us before beginning an exercise program, so that we can screen you for underlying conditions that might make exercise dangerous for you. We can also discuss your medical weight loss plan and answer any questions that you might have about losing weight and preventing chronic disease.