Getting fit is a worthwhile goal, and the only way to reach your goals is with an exercise routine. As you stay active and work out, your physical and mental health will improve. You’ll also be able to shape your body, which can be great for your appearance and self esteem.
But sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re doing when you’re exercising. You might feel as though you’re wasting your time, especially if you don’t see any results. Here are a few ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of your exercise.
Setting Goals
The first step is to actually set goals. Think about why you want to work out. If you want to just get healthier and be more fit, you will exercise differently than if you want to lose weight or build muscle.
Once you know what you want to achieve, think about the steps to get there. This will help you stay motivated. Set smaller, achievable goals. You might want to develop the strength and endurance to lift a certain weight, or you might want to be able to run a certain distance.
Once you’ve achieved those goals, up the ante.
Creating a Routine
One of the keys to a successful exercise routine is in the name. You need a routine. If you just exercise when you feel inspired to, or you feel like you should, you aren’t going to get anywhere.
Everyone should exercise for at least half an hour every day. This doesn’t mean your routine has to be to go to the gym every day, although some people do that. If you’re lifting weights, try at least three times a week and build up from there.
The most important thing is to form habits. It’s no surprise that the more you work out, the more results you will see.
Eating Right
As well as exercising, you need to think about what you’re taking into your body. Your body needs protein to build muscle, as well as calories for energy and other nutrients to be healthy. Even fat has a part to play.
Your goals will come into play when thinking about what to eat. If you’re trying to lose weight, you need to lower your calorie intake. If you’re trying to gain muscle, you will need to increase the amount of protein you eat.
You also need to think about how much you drink. You need to be well hydrated to be healthy and, if you’re working out a lot, you might sweat a lot and lose water that way. Electrolyte drinks can keep you hydrated and healthy.
Rest and Recovery
Another thing to consider is how much rest you get. When you exercise, you’re actually damaging your muscles. It’s only when you rest and sleep that your muscles actually grow stronger and bigger.
It stands to reason that resting is a vital part of reaching your goals. You can even overtrain and hurt yourself if you don’t rest when needed. Rest during sets and make sure you get plenty of rest after working out.
You can also recover more quickly by soothing your muscles. Ice baths can reduce soreness and inflammation. A massage after working out can also make your muscles less tense. By looking after your body and making sure you can recover between workouts, you will prevent injury and see better results.
Staying Motivated
Sometimes it can be easy to start working out, but hard to get motivated. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to jump to weights or exercises that are too difficult in an attempt to get better results. Then, when it’s too painful or difficult, they give up.
It’s a far better idea to work up to these levels. Spend your early days getting familiar with the movements of an exercise so you don’t injure yourself. Use lighter weights or even no weights until you know what you’re doing.
A more experienced person might be able to help you with this. A personal trainer or even a friend can guide you through movements.
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to exercise with a buddy. You can encourage and push each other, and you’re more likely to stick to a routine if you don’t want to let someone down.
Always work towards the next goal. If you have something to work for, you will stay motivated until you reach it. Then, think about where you want to go next.