What's the best advice or work out tip someone gave you that helps keep you motivated, injury free or excited to work out?
For me it was a Kim Kardashian tip I read in a Cosmo a long time ago...she suggested sleeping in your work out clothes. That way in the morning you can literally roll out of bed and into the gym. Saves time and stress for me and ensures I get to those early work outs.
Don't tie exercise to the success of your weight loss. Exercise in itself (without weight loss) is amazingly good for your body. So rather than focus on how exercise may (or may not) be helping you become thinner, focus on how it's helping you become fitter. In the two months I've been on plan and exercising, I've lost 11 lbs. This is not insignificant, but I expected more. However, I haven't given up exercising because I've noticed things internally about myself that have improved. My back isn't sore in the morning anymore. I can actually feel my leg muscles. I have increased endurance for being active with friends. I sleep better. I like my body more. I am more engaged with my neighborhood and neighbors.
If you notice HOW exercise makes you feel (not just the sore muscles!), you'll be a lot more likely to do it regularly.
Don't tie exercise to the success of your weight loss. Exercise in itself (without weight loss) is amazingly good for your body. So rather than focus on how exercise may (or may not) be helping you become thinner, focus on how it's helping you become fitter. In the two months I've been on plan and exercising, I've lost 11 lbs. This is not insignificant, but I expected more. However, I haven't given up exercising because I've noticed things internally about myself that have improved. My back isn't sore in the morning anymore. I can actually feel my leg muscles. I have increased endurance for being active with friends. I sleep better. I like my body more. I am more engaged with my neighborhood and neighbors.
If you notice HOW exercise makes you feel (not just the sore muscles!), you'll be a lot more likely to do it regularly.
I'll second that. My knee that used to be sore, isn't anymore. The painful back I had every morning doesn't happen anymore. My emotions are sooo much more stable. My monthly cramps aren't nearly as bad. My stamina has gotten better. And, just knowing I am doing something- though I am not close to where I want to be. Knowing I am working on it my confidence is so much better. And, I feel happier out in public than I had before. The internal changes are amazing and wonderful and just as important as the weight loss. Maybe even more important for some.
I no longer kick my own butt every time I go to the gym. I make sure to get in a good sweat and I put more emphasis into strength training (using heavy, heavy weights).
-Same time, no excuses. I am not a morning person but I learned to do it in the morning. It's part of my routine. I let myself "sleep in" one day in a work week and make that one up on the weekend.
-Hand in hand with that- the "day off" when I feel like it has been crucial. Sometimes I wake up and I really am not feeling going to the gym. I don't force myself, and just decide that that's the day. Other times, I plan it because I know I'll be exhausted in the morning for whatever reason. Yes, sometimes you need to push yourself and you're not always going to feel like working out, but if you really resent the idea, you probably need some rest and you'll get a killer workout the next day instead of feeling bitter and burned out. (Also, this isn't as true when you're just starting a routine, because to me, that part is torture and I needed to power through it!)
That means a couple of things:
1, don't just half arse it during your workout, you're wasting your time.
2, Midway through your workout, really push yourself harder. This is the time to make it count. You got to the gym, you've started your routine, now push push push until you know you can do no better.
Then celebrate your personal accomplishment by journalling what you've done. Keep a journal and look back after 6 months and celebrate how far you've come.
For me it was breathing through the workout. I bought Ripped in 30 and I couldn't make it past the running man cardio without having to stop from lightheadedness. I modified that part of the workout into something I could do that was equally active and remembered to breath through it all. It was hard but I was pretty happy with myself once I successfully completed it.
- Finding something I ENJOY. Exercise does not have to be torture. I can do things that are FUN. AND I have found somethings actually become fun once I am capable of doing them (like running!)
- Even just a little bit can show big differences.
- You can't "spot reduce" your fat... BUT you can firm up specific muscles which will hold up the fat! (My jelly rolls are smaller! Yay!)
Do something that you enjoy, that doesn't hurt you.
It's no good working out and causing an injury that's going to put you out of commission for months and then you have to start over
What is your best work out tip?
