Dear Sarah,

When I do my cardio at the gym I sweat a lot under my armpits, and sometimes it's really stinky. I like to pretend that it is not me that stinks, but it is. I wear deodorant but it doesn't seem to mask the smell. Would an antiperspirant do a better job?

Jeanette

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Dear Sarah,

I consider myself pretty fit as I exercise an average of eight hours per week. I do two step aerobics classes, three body pump classes, two yoga classes and usually put in 15-20 minutes on a cardio machine a few times per week as well. Why then, do my legs burn when I run up a flight of stairs, is this a sign that I am not doing enough exercise?
Thanks,
Anne

Dear Anne,

Not to worry. Feeling your legs burn after climbing a flight of stairs is not a sign that you aren't working out hard enough. Instead, legs burning at the top of a flight of stairs is a sign that lactic acid has built up in the muscles you used to climb the stairs.

Dear Sarah,

My friend and I have been training to run a 25km road race taking place in mid-September. We have been running every other day for about three months, however, lately I have been feeling really run down. My friend thinks it might be possible that I have low iron due to all the running. Could this be true and if so, why? I thought running was getting me into shape not out of it?

Thanks,
Dianna

Dear Dianna,

Running is a great way to get and stay in shape as it works your heart, lungs and muscles all at the same time. However, like with any sport it does have its pitfall. Before self-diagnosing yourself as being low in iron (often known as iron deficiency/anemia), go to your doctor to get checked out.

Iron is found in every cell of the human body, and is the core ingredient in the oxygen carrying molecule hemoglobin found in red blood cells. Your red blood cells pick up oxygen from your lungs and distribute it throughout the body. Iron is also a vital ingredient in another oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells called myoglobin, which distributes oxygen to the your heart and muscles. The bottom line: Your body needs oxygen to have energy.

For example:
A yawn is commonly seen as as a sign of fatigue, but actually your body is yawning to open your mouth and airways to take in more oxygen so the red blood cells can pick it up and keep you alert by distributing oxygen throughout the body.

Dear Sarah,

I usually try to hit the gym for an hour, three to four times per week. Once there, I walk on the treadmill for about half an hour, perform a strength training circuit (machines for legs, chest, back etc), and then stretch. I am in my mid-thirties and am starting to notice the pounds slowly creeping up. Do I need to exercise more?
Thanks,
Carley

Dear Carley,

An hour at the gym three to four times per week should be enough to keep the pounds away IF you are working hard enough.

Dear Sarah,

I work at an advertising firm and we are constantly taking out potential clients to "seal the deal." Often these meetings are in the early morning over coffee, but lately they've been in the afternoon and involve a cocktail or two. Is it safe to go to the gym after having a drink?
Thanks,
Mae

Dear Mae,

While alcohol may make you feel more relaxed and happy, especially when sealing a big business deal, it's actually a depressant that suppresses the brain's ability to function. It decreases your reaction time, accuracy, balance, hand-eye coordination and endurance, which are all essential elements of exercise. The question is, do you want to decrease your reaction time when lifting heavy weights over your head, or running on a fast-moving treadmill? Probably not.

Dear Sarah,

I often find myself skipping workouts during the summer months. Sometimes I feel it's too hot to contemplate working up a sweat on purpose. Sometimes I feel that I should be out enjoying the sunshine during our limited patio season. Other times, I simply just don't want to do it! Can you suggest a few inspiring ideas that will help get me to the gym?

Thanks,
Angela


Dear Angela,

You may never really feel like working out (especially in the heat), but if we all waited until we really felt like working out we would likely never make it to the gym.

Here are my top five tips for getting thee to the gym in the summer.