Fitness is not easy, but here are 5 tips to apply to your journey that will boost your chances to succeed with fitness and dieting.
Many people want to get into fitness. However, when they start, they often are unsure of exactly how to go about it to reach their goals. This often results in people simply giving up on their fitness journey before it ever gets off the ground. Some of these mistakes are a result of physical uncertainty (i.e not knowing how to properly workout), but the majority of this is a result of not having the correct mentality before you ever step foot into the gym. Luckily, I have a few tips here that if you understand prior to going into fitness, should increase your chances to be successful.
Form a Workout Schedule
One common issue that people have is they go to the gym without a definite plan. They do not understand when they should work out, what muscle groups to target and how often they should exercise them. The key to this is to create a weekly schedule. Schedules give people direction and a plan that they would not otherwise have. Knowing what you need to do beforehand will increase your likelihood to stick with your plan.
Drink A LOT of Water
There are many reasons to drink water, and anyone looking to get involved with fitness should make a point to drink plenty of it. Keeping your body properly hydrated will maximize your workouts. In addition, water is shown in many studies to help facilitate weight loss and help with digestion. In short, all of the benefits that you typically associate with water will also help you when it comes to working out. How much water you should drink daily varies depending on body weight, but drinking a gallon or more a day can be beneficial for many.
Learn to be Mindful of Liquid Calories
While it is recommended to drink a lot of water, you should try to start paying attention to the calorie content of other drinks you may have on a regular basis. Liquid Calories can quickly add up, and many times people don’t exactly realize how many calories they are consuming because of them. If you are trying to lose weight, it may be worth beginning to limit your liquid calorie intake as they will not fill you up in the same way as food and are far more replaceable. If you are trying to gain weight, simply don’t rely on liquid calories to reach your daily caloric goals due to the fact that many drinks lack the necessary nutrients needed to put on muscle.
Track your Results
Similar to how a workout schedule is key to keeping you on track, seeing the proof of your work can help you stay focused. For example, you can weigh yourself once a week. If you notice yourself losing or gaining weight (depending on your goal), you have some proof of concept that will motivate you to keep trusting your process. On the contrary, if you are not seeing the results that you want, you can use this to make tweaks in your routine.
Work Smart, Not Hard
A common misconception about dieting and fitness is that you must somehow need to suffer as a sacrifice to reach your end goal. While it certainly does take sacrifice and lifestyle changes, the most difficult action is not always the most effective. Target whatever your fitness goal is and learn the science behind it. Oftentimes, you will find that what you need to do actually consists of simple tasks. For example if you want to lose weight, the only necessity is that you are in a caloric deficit. Be aware of this and plan your lifestyle accordingly. You may find that the path to your goal can be much less painful than you expect. Having a plan that works for you is key to sustaining your fitness goals and making them a part of your life for a long period of time.