The Key To Working Hard Without Wearing Yourself Out

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Summer is almost here—in fact we are embarking on the unofficial start of the summer . With the great weather comes an increased desire to get out and exercise. Whether we are motivated by the longer days or by the fact that we may not look so great in summer clothes, we get out there and concoct all sorts of ways to burn calories.

The problem is that we may be doing too much too fast—what is commonly called the weekend warrior complex. The weekend warrior complex is a situation where somebody pushes themselves way too hard, way too fast, and as a result they can have severe pain, pain that can be very frustrating to deal with because it might last for three or four days.

I know you know this but pace yourself—stay in the race for the long haul. Also, if you're going to exercise, make sure you ice down afterwards, and make sure you stretch ahead of time.