Fitness is the key to living a long life, but it is not easy. Many people jog, lift, sweat, and diet their way to being fit. While this may work for some, it does not always work for others, and leaves them stumped. The tips in this article will help you make sense of fitness.

Listen to your body when exercising. A little muscle soreness here and there is quite normal, especially if you have started a new kind of workout. Continuous pain is a different matter altogether. It is your body’s way of telling you that you have overdone things, and are in danger of injuring yourself, maybe seriously. Rather than self-medicating with aspirin or another type of pain reliever, visit your doctor.

Whatever fitness routine you choose, be sure to include cardio-vascular exercise. Staying heart and lung healthy is extremely important, and a cardio workout will do just that for your body. Try to do 30 minutes of cardio or aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week. This can take the form of running, biking, using a treadmill or elliptical trainer, or swimming. Remember not to overdo it. If you find yourself short of breath, you should take a break until your heart rate slows down.

A great way to get fit is to post your progress pictures on an online forum such as bodybuilidng.com. Other people will be able to critique how you’re doing, and can help steer you in a better direction. Posting pictures is also a great way to get motivation.

As stated before, fitness is not easy, but it is necessary for living a long and healthy life. People often exercise and diet their way into fitness, but this does not always work for some people. If you use the tips from this article, you can find a way that works best for you to reach maximum fitness.