Expert advice for a healthy workout routine

If you made a New Year's resolution, chances are high that one of your 2012 goals includes getting in shape. With the dessert-filled holiday season now behind us, it's no surprise many people hope to shed a few pounds this time of year, and experts at Texas A&M University’s Sydney & J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine & Human Performance can provide advice for making a fitness plan successful.
"Embarking on a fitness routine without considering the basics of proper exercise safety can be a slippery slope resulting in injury, especially for those new to exercise or returning to the gym after a break," says Timothy Lightfoot, director of the Huffines Institute. "Most injuries are caused by using exercise equipment improperly or being too ambitious with the new exercise schedule."
Emily Schmitt, a doctoral student who works with Lightfoot in the Huffines Institute, offers these exercise safety tips to ensure your next trip to the gym is injury-free:
Start slow. If you have taken a break from exercising over the holidays, do not expect to pick up where you left off. It is very important to use self-control and listen to your body to avoid injury.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Not all gym equipment is created the same. For example, a leg press machine at one gym is not necessarily the same as a leg press at another gym. You must remember proper biomechanics when using exercise machines. If you are unsure how to use a piece of exercise equipment, ask a professional at your gym for assistance.
Proper exercise + proper nutrition = success. You cannot have one without the other — diet and exercise go hand in hand. Working out at the gym for an hour in the morning does not make a midnight junk food binge acceptable. Staying on track with nutrition is hard, but it is important to fuel your body with fruits, vegetables, lean meats and water. Diet and exercise are a winning combination that will not fail you.
Find a buddy to workout with. Having a friend push you down the road to fitness is an excellent idea. Accountability keeps us coming back to our fitness routine day after day. After all, you don't want to disappoint your workout partner by not showing up.
Don't expect to see results in the first week. Face it, it took longer than a week to put on the weight, so it will take longer than a week to take it off. Most people give up on an exercise plan too early because they do not see results after the first several workouts. Results will come, but they will take time.