For many people, getting fit seems like an impossible task. It takes time and stamina and doesn’t appear to be all that fun. However, with the right workout plan tailored to what you can do and find enjoyable, getting fit and staying fit can be a lifelong hobby. Following are some tips to get into the swing of things.
Don’t push yourself too hard when you are working out. While pushing yourself to your limits can be a good thing, be aware of those limits. Build your strength and stamina gradually. If you intend on exercising daily, pushing yourself too hard only serves to discourage and tire you out the next day.
When working out, do not waste your time doing too many crunches. If you find yourself doing more than 3 sets of 15 crunches a workout session, you are wasting your time. Studies have found that doing more than that is entirely useless. You are simply wasting valuable energy that could be directed to working out a different part of your body.
One way to maximize your fitness routine is to keep track of your workouts and how well you did. This will result in positive thinking and push you to compete against yourself. There are many online logs that you can keep and devices that you can use to track your workouts automatically. This way, you can see your progression and formulate your challenges.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help at the gym. If you don’t know how to use a machine, go ahead and ask. Understanding how to utilize both the aerobic and strength-building machines will give you the confidence to use them. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you will keep up your workouts.
Do not let yourself be put off by the weather. The weather is no excuse not to work out. If you mean to jog outside and find that it is raining, work around that. You can still get out and walk in a drizzle. If the weather is terrible, find an alternative inside.
An exercise class is an excellent way of continuing your fitness routine through the winter months. Many people are less inclined to exercise during the winter, especially if they have an outdoor routine. Try signing up for something completely different from your regular exercise: if you typically cycle, try yoga. If running or jogging is your preferred routine, try free weights. You may find that you enjoy this new form of exercise, and if nothing else, it’s a healthy way to get through the dark winter months!
There are alternative methods to being physically fit besides the standard of weight lifting and cardiovascular work. Sports such as swimming and basketball can give your body a good workout by exercising all of your body parts, and you can have fun while doing it.
Exercising with a friend or a group of friends is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Not only is it much fun to work out or play sports with friends, but a friendly rivalry will also keep you on your toes and at the top of your game. Just make sure that the rivalry doesn’t get in the way of your friendship.
Stubborn beer belly? Unfortunately, situps and crunches alone are not sufficient to lose stomach flab. Studies show that it would take an estimated quarter of a million crunches to burn a single pound of fat. Combining abdominal exercises with aerobic workouts and dietary changes is your best bet.
Avoid exercising under the weather unless you are only sick above the neck. It is best to take the day off to rest to be safe. Besides that, all of your exercise efforts would not go toward building your body up, but they’d heal it from your illness.
Decide to walk for 45 minutes a day instead of 30. Walking for 45 minutes has been scientifically proven by Duke University to result in fat and weight loss. This can equal up to 30 pounds of weight loss per year for just an added 15 minutes a day. For maximum weight loss, try walking up a hill instead of down.
After several weeks of sticking to the gym regimen you created, pick up the pace. This will increase the desire that you have and also improve your overall results. It is always better to give yourself a challenge, especially if you are trying to elevate your strength.
Chart all of the exercises you do on a spreadsheet if you are looking to maximize your results. This will give you a clear picture of what you have done and the work that you have left to do. Seeing your workouts on paper can help to increase your motivation.
While lifting weights, squeeze your butt muscles together. You are putting your body into a position that stabilizes your spine, thus reducing injuries or strains to your lower back. Make sure that you lift the weights over your head as you are squeezing your butt muscles together.
Switch up your workout routine to avoid getting tired of exercise. You may find another workout you enjoy more than another. This will also keep your focus on various fitness techniques instead of doing the same thing daily. It’s also better for your muscles and helps develop them with different exercises.
Therefore, getting and staying fit does not have to be the unreachable pinnacle in your life. It’s just a matter of building up stamina by doing something you enjoy, an activity that will get your heart rate up and that you can do at least a few times a week. A routine like that may not make you into an Olympic star, but it can give you a healthy body, keep your weight down, and make you feel good about yourself.
