Pace Yourself; The Key To Avoiding Weekend Warrior Syndrome

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As we approach July 4 it is important to talk about safety and proper supervision with firecrackers and the importance of not drinking and driving.

But there is another less obvious worry—people who might have three days off and turn to exercise after not doing that much of it for quite some time. It is the weekend warrior syndrome.

Many weekend warriors get out there and they exercise far more than they should. With that extra exercise, they put themselves in positions where they actually can hurt themselves. What you need to do if you're going to exercise is pace yourself. Don't try any dramatically new activities, and clearly, don't overdo it all at once.

Use the Fourth of July weekend to get a start on a summer of exercise—not as a time to get injured and put an end to it.