Increasing obesity rates around the world are a reason for everyone to do a better job of staying active in their daily life. Let us discuss the 6 biggest tips to give to people who are just starting a fitness program, continuing their own program, or need motivation to begin a fitness program.
1. You can’t go all or nothing
It is an extremely difficult lifestyle change transitioning from never working out to working out for 2+ hours a day or more. Take it slow. Getting in shape is a long process and muscles that have not been activated need time to recover in between workouts. Starting with 2-3 days per week and ramping up to 4-5 days a week is a good starting point.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others
Especially in the early stages. Experience has shown time and time again that people love to compete with each other in the gym environment. Focus on your individual goals rather than what others are doing, and in due time these goals will be met.
3. Write down your workouts
This one seems simple, but if someone goes to the gym for 10 minutes a day, then they are not exactly achieving their goals quickly. Pick out 5 exercises for a specific body part, or the general body, and stick to them. A good goal to set is to try to remain in the gym for at least 30 minutes at the bare minimum.
4. Stretch your muscles before and after working out
Muscles work similar to that of a car’s air conditioning or heating systems. They take a long time to warm up and get the blood flowing to them, and stretching is a direct link to injury prevention. If you feel weird stretching at the gym, try a warm shower before a session to warm muscles up before a workout.
5. Feed your body before and after a workout
Carbohydrates and proteins are essential to providing energy to one’s body and for healing the muscles after a workout. Nutrients entering your digestive system can go a long way into having a successful fitness program.
6. Last but not the least
Have fun with your workout! Team up with a friend, coworker, roommate, or anyone in your life that may want to increase their fitness level with you. Many people take fitness programs seriously 100% of the time, but that is an unrealistic and robotic way of thinking. Have fun, make friends, help each other to be the best version of you!
