We all know that we should work on improving our fitness levels, yet only a small percentage of us actually end up reaching the target that we set for ourselves. So why is that? There are plenty of reasons. Actually, forget that: there are plenty of excuses. The truth is that anyone can reach their optimal level, providing that they avoid making some of the mistakes that hold others back. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few different pieces of advice that’ll push you in the right direction. If you incorporate all of the advice into your lifestyle, then you’ll find that your fitness is improving in no time — and that it’s much easier than if you were just making things up as you go along.
Day One
If you’re going into any new project/venture/stage of your life, it’s always a good idea to start with intention. You don’t need to dramatically declare that you’re going to get fit or whatever, but there should be some level of intention attached to the decision. You’re not joining a gym for the fun of it; you’re joining for a reason. The first few weeks can be really important, since if you can make it through that period, then it’ll be part of your lifestyle. If you begin with a shrug of the shoulders, then you might not make it that far. Start with some determination, and you’ll have a level of enthusiasm that can push you through the early stages.
Slow Starts
However, when we say motivation, we mean a desire to make fitness a part of your lifestyle. We don’t mean going all out and bench pressing a lot more than you should, because you want to make progress as quickly as possible. While you might be super enthusiastic, it’s best to take things easy. The flame that burns the hottest ends up dying faster than the rest. Or in other words, if you push yourself too hard, then you might tire yourself out before you’ve had any chance to make progress. Start slow. It’s best to start with the lightest weights and work up, rather than force yourself to life the heaviest. If you worry that you look silly in front of the other gym-goers, then remember this: you don’t.
Make it Easy
If you’re going to make visiting the gym a part of your lifestyle, then it’s important to make going as straightforward as possible. This all begins with the location of the gym. If it’s super far away, then you’ll have a pretty good excuse not to go. So when you’re trying to decide which gym to visit, make things simple and just choose the one that’s closest to you, even if the one further away is technically better. How far you have to travel can make a big difference in the number of times you actually go. As well as the location, you can increase the likelihood of you going by being prepped in the home. If you have a gym bag ready to go, then all you’ll need to do is pick it up, and you’ll be on your way — there’ll be no time to rethink things.
Work With a Trainer
Some people visit the gym multiple times a week and yet still fail to make progress. Why? Because they don’t know what they’re doing. If you don’t have all that much experience when it comes to working out and getting fit, then it’s recommended that you work with a trainer. They’ll be able to tell you what it is you need to do to reach your fitness goals. Instead of blindly moving from machine to machine, and from exercise to exercise, you’ll have a step by step guide on how you can do the right things for your body.
Before and After
Ask anyone who has gone through the process of getting into shape, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: what you do in the gym is only half of it. The other half is what you do outside of the gym. If you’re not ingesting the right things, then you won’t get the most rewards for your efforts. Supplements like those available at steelsupplements.com can help you to burn more fat and develop more muscle. Whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, there’ll be a supplement that can help you along the way. It’ll also be really important that you eat correctly. It’s always tempting to treat yourself to an unhealthy snack once you’ve gone through the workout process, but just think about what you’re doing. You’ll essentially be undoing the good work that you’ve done in the gym.
Habit Forming
Getting into shape is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re going to reach your goals, then it’s important that exercise is part of your lifestyle. It has to be a habit, not something that you just do on occasion. In the first month in particular, try to stick to a set routine. It could be that you go to the gym every two days for 45 minutes at a time. Within weeks, it’ll just feel normal.
Active Lifestyle
You might do the bulk of your work in the gym, but remember that it’s not as if you’re able to spend some time in the gym, and then simply sit on the couch for the rest of your work. You’ve done some of the work, but not all of it. In general, you’ll find that it’s best to, alongside your trips to the gym, work on developing an active lifestyle. This can include doing things such as cycling (or even running) to work, making sure you go for walks throughout the day, and generally moving your body whenever you can. Having an active lifestyle will give you a small but noticeable advantage when it comes to reaching your fitness goals.
Be Realistic
One of the reasons why so many people give up on their fitness goals is because they have unrealistic ideas about what’s possible. You might want to look like [insert celebrity name] but unless you’re genetically built that way, it’s not going to happen no matter how much time you spend in the gym. That doesn’t mean that you’re not making improvements. When you first decide to get into fitness, think about what you’re trying to get to. What’s the end goal? Is it something that is attainable through fitness? There’s a lot of good that exercise and healthy living can do for you, but it’s not going to change every single aspect of your existence.
Notice the Progress
Finally, perhaps the best way to stay committed to your fitness lifestyle is to notice all the progress that you’re making. It won’t be long before you notice physical and mental benefits. After you’ve been working out (in whatever form) for an hour, you’ll find that when you leave, you’ve got a lot of energy and you’re in a good mood. For many people, this is the entire point of working out (as opposed to improving their conditioning). You won’t notice physical improvements straight away, but they will come in time. It can take a lot of willpower to get up off the couch and make physical exercise a part of your lifestyle. In many ways, that’s the hardest part. Once you’ve done, and you’re beginning to notice the progress, don’t stop — keep going. You’ll only regret it further on down the line if you do.
