Thinking about getting in shape? Don’t pile into the gym without knowing the do’s and don’ts of fitness. Follow these simple fitness tips to ensure you get the results you want- quicker than expected.
Most Important of the Fitness Tips: Nutrition is Extremely Important
You’ve probably heard that results come from 80% nutrition and 20% exercise- and this couldn’t be truer. You simply can’t out-train a poor diet. In fact, you could work-out all day, every day and never see the results you want if you don’t have proper nutrition. To ensure you are receiving proper nutrition, you should cut out processed foods entirely and limit the amount of carbs you eat every day. Eat lots of ‘real’ foods with plenty of protein, and don’t skimp when it comes to veggies and whole grains.
Do: Stay Steady and Moderate
Sometimes when people get excited about a new workout regime, they tend to go overboard and burn themselves out within the first few workouts. Yes you should push yourself, but not so hard that you overdo it and quit your entire workout regime within the initial weeks- or worse, injure yourself and be out for months. It’s best to start with a moderate workout routine and perform it several times a week.
Do: Cardio
Cardio is an important part of a workout routine. And while it is perfectly fine to go for a brisk walk or take a jog around the park, you’ll get better results and burn more calories with a high intensity cardio routine. High intensity cardio is short bursts of high intensity exercises followed by a slightly slower activity. For instance, if you are using a treadmill you would want to alternate between sprinting and jogging, doing sprints for 0:30 and jogging for 1:00 at a time. You could also try circuit training which combines several different cardio and strength building activities.
Do: Lift Weights
This is one of the best fitness tips out there: lift weights! No, this doesn’t mean going to the gym and trying to squat 300 pounds when you’re just starting out. Even if you can only lift 20 pounds, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’ll work your way up, but lifting weights is still incredibly important. As you start to lose weight, you’ll be losing muscle. Lifting weights prevents you from losing weight and boosts metabolism, which means more room for fat scorching. You can even start off by purchasing fitness equipment including dumbbells and barbells and use them at home until you outgrow the weight. You can find some great fitness equipment and fitness products at Target, and use Target promo codes to snag some great deals.
Do: Wear the Right Apparel
It isn’t essential to buy special workout tops or pants, but it is essential to buy the right shoes. Wearing the wrong shoes during a workout routine can lead to serious injuries (not to mention extreme discomfort). You can find a lot of great workout shoes to see you through your routine for months to come at REI, and when you use REI coupons you can find the perfect shoes for less.
Don’t: Get Discouraged
This is one of the best fitness tips as it happens to 99% of us. Never get discouraged! Always remember that slow progress is still progress, and in time you will definitely get where you want to be. Just stay motivated and never compare yourself to someone else. Work hard for what you want and you will reap the rewards.
There’s no excuses! Now that you have read these fitness tips, put together a nutritious meal plan, gather up the proper fitness equipment and apparel and get ready to burn fat and look great!
