Staying fit and healthy in today’s modern world can sometimes be a real challenge that not many people end up being successful in. Most of us work steady jobs anywhere from eight to ten hours a day, and when on top of that you add a myriad of our other daily obligations it’s sometimes really difficult to hold down a consistent workout routine and constantly keep challenging your body to improve in the physical aspect.
However, I firmly believe that with the right type of guidance, anyone can achieve this if they’re committed enough. Today, I want to attempt to provide you with that right type of guidance to set yourself up for success in the gym and start getting the body you’ve always dreamed of.
Stay Consistent, No Matter What
The single most important thing you need to remember when it comes to working out in the gym is that you need to turn it into a habit as soon as possible. You can only do this by being physically active every single day. A common misconception among people who are just starting to work out is that you need to exercise for at least an hour to 90 minutes for there to even be a point to exercising.
This is absolutely untrue on so many levels, and you should never adhere to such a ridiculous rule. If all you can do is 10 pushups a day, then so be it. If you can only do 5, then start there and slowly work up to 10. The only thing that matters is that you don’t stop. Never stop.
Small Goals
Getting into shape and developing an amazing body will take a long time, and anyone that claims otherwise is lying to you. It’s going to take a lot of patience and motivation, and one of the best ways to motivate yourself to keep going every day is to set small goals and accomplish them over time. Furthermore, once you do accomplish them, celebrate it. Treat yourself to something, make it significant.
This could be anything at all – maybe you just managed to do 30 consecutive pushups. Maybe you benched 100 lbs for the first time, or even cook your own meals for a consecutive week, instead of relying on junk food. No matter how small it may seem, celebrate it and make yourself feel good about it. It’s not only about the ultimate goal, it’s about the journey towards it and become a stronger version of yourself every single day. With that kind of mindset, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Use HIIT Sparingly
High-intensity interval training is becoming a very popular regimen among not only professional athletes, but also beginners worldwide, and it’s pretty easy to see why. When performed correctly, HIIT results in very quick and efficient weight loss, muscle gain and a significant increase in stamina.
There’s a downside to exercising like this, though; HIIT is a very strenuous form of exercise and it can be very fatiguing not only for your musculature but also for your nervous system. Because of this, it takes longer for your body to recover from an HIIT-type workout than from a regular workout, so I highly suggest limiting HIIT to two to three times a week if you’re a beginner. Otherwise, you aren’t going to be able to achieve the kind of consistency in your workouts that you need, because your body will need to rest more.
Choose Your Workout Time Wisely
Finally, I want to address how important it is to make sure that your body is ready for the workout you’re about to put it through, and a big part of that is choosing the time of day when you’re at your best, physically. I personally like to exercise in the afternoon, and any time that I’ve tried to do it in the morning or before bedtime I just feel that I’m less energetic, and therefore the workout is less efficient.
Author Bio: Theresa Brawner is a 28-year-old fitness instructor from Boston, MA, who writes articles for www.diet.st. in her free time. When she isn’t helping new moms get back in shape, you can find her in the kitchen, working on new recipes.