Do you listen to the warning signs your body sometimes sends you? It's easy to get caught up in an exercise routine and overlook these important signals. We must recognize the difference between usual muscle soreness and unusual pain. Choosing not to listen to or masking these signs can lead to injury or long-term chronic pain.

Your body uses pain to indicate that something is wrong. Taking pain relievers to mask injuries can lead you further down the pain trail. Listen to your warnings signs. When exercising, you can expect muscle soreness, but if your injury site is feeding you sharp pain signals or you find it hard to put pressure on the area, you should listen to what your body is telling you and investigate. Your answers to the following questions may indicate a need to visit your physician.

• Can I work the body part without changing my natural movement pattern?
• Is there an abnormal amount of swelling?
  
• Does the injury affect my sleep?
• How would I rate the injury on a scale of one to 10, according to how much pain I'm feeling? Anything higher than a six, and you're in a danger zone in need of medical advice.

Often when we're just getting into an exercise routine, our bodies and joints will give us painful signs of irritation. Sometimes a little rest is all we need. Even if you already workout regularly, you can still pull a muscle or strain an area. An injury might be caused by those new squat jumps we try or bad form we are unaware of during that extra set of lunges. Always take the safe road when exercising by using good form and by paying attention to any warning signals your body sends you.

When beginning an exercise routine be sure to start slow and practice patience. Make sure you implement an effective stretching routine, and give yourself ample time for proper warm-up and cool downs. If you do injure your upper body, you can focus on your lower body or vice versa.

This might also be the time to focus on those six-pack abs you've been wanting by targeting this area while another heals. Don't let the temporary setback of an injury steal your motivation away, and if you do have to take some time away from exercise, stay physically active in some way.

Exercising yields healthy results and can be fun, but be sure to listen to your body and the signals it may be sending you. Stay the course and find some way always to be active.

Troy Fontana owns Fontana Fitness in Sparks. For more assistance, call him at 331-6918 or e-mail Getfit@FontanaFitness.com