Make the Most of your Exercise and Workout Plans
Nod your head if this sounds familiar: You hear about an amazing new workout regimen, one that will supposedly help you slim down and tone up quickly. You’ve seen your friend go from flabby to fine in a matter of days and you get excited about trying it for yourself. You layout the plans, you buy the equipment, you’re ready to go – and then a few days later, you’re back on the couch watching your favorite sitcom and wondering if the Bachelor will ever find the perfect girl for him.
This is a routine many of us find ourselves in – a rise in enthusiasm followed by a quick fall in motivation as soon as we realize that exercise takes work. You actually have to move your body. Things jiggle that are supposed to jiggle. Counting calories becomes more effort than it’s worth, and then you’re stuck with the same old roller coaster of weight loss.
However, it’s not too late to lose the weight! Shedding the fat and keeping it off for good is a lifelong struggle, something that we have to participate in again and again. So rather than giving up completely, you can stop moping about how you’ve gained 5 (or 50) pounds since last year and start sticking to that diet with these tips for making the most out of your exercise workout plans.
Top Tips for Nailing your Exercise Plans
Start Fresh: Don’t beat yourself up with the guilt that you shouldn’t have eaten that cheesecake yesterday or that you missed out on your gym sessions for the last three weeks due to the fact that you keep forgetting to buy gym shoes. Throw away old clothes that you think you’ll fit into if you could “only lose those last few pounds.” Start fresh. Make it fun. And give yourself a break.
Plan and Prepare: If your workouts tend to be a hit and miss because of a busy schedule, then take the time to write in 15 minutes of cardio here or 20 minutes of weight lifting there on your To-Do List. You don’t need an entire hour (though the more the better); you simply have to remember to take time for you. You are important– so regularly schedule yourself a little “me time” rather than letting your priorities take control of your life.’
Small Steps to Success: We know you’re excited to start losing the weight and burning the calories, but more often than not, inexperienced dieters and weekend warriors find themselves overtraining and pushing their muscles until they’re in agony, using the “No pain. No gain” approach. This often results in discouragement and injury, so instead, start small. Gradually add in a few more crunches between commercials or add a few more fruits to your fridge. It may not seem like much, but it’ll work better for the long haul.
Know Your Body: You’ve had it for years. You’d think that you’d know your limits by now. Find out when your energy levels are at their highest. Are you a morning person? A night owl? Somewhere in between? Work with what you’ve got rather than forcing yourself to do something when you’re already exhausted. It’s ok to miss a day or two to give your body a chance to heal; just don’t let laziness become a habit.
Make it Fun: Just because you’re cutting calories doesn’t mean you have to be miserable, and just because you’re trying to burn more calories with cardio doesn’t mean you have to stick to the boring treadmill routine. Switch up your workout so it stays fresh and fun. Be creative with your exercise routine and feel free to try new foods and recipes. The more you enjoy exercise and dieting, the longer you’ll stick to it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just starting to get into a new routine, or you’ve been on and off exercise plans and regimens for years, these weight loss tips can help you make the most out of your exercise and workout plans without giving in to discouragement.
Remember –“ if at first you don’t succeed, then try and try again. “
