You won’t lose weight without breaking a sweat. But even if you’re hitting the gym on a regular basis, you might eventually reach a weight loss plateau. Why? Because your body has gotten used too used to your workout routine and needs something new.
For instance, you need to mix plenty of strength workouts in with all your cardio. Taking part in a few different gym classes and sports will help to keep your metabolism on it’s toes. Wanna make sure your body is always firing on all cylinders.? Here are some really great workout tips that will help make you sweat even more than ever before!
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Don’t Spot Train
We all have body parts we’d like to improve. You may wish you had shapelier legs. Someone else might not be too pleased with the state of their six pack. Everyone’s got something.
But don’t obsess in your workouts. Say you hate that flab that hangs under your arms, Well, don’t forget about your legs and abs! Working just one part of your body constantly is known as spot training and you shouldn’t do it. Instead, work all your body and build up a bigger sweat!
Don’t Overdo It
I know this sounds crazy. But you just might not be losing weight because you’ve been working out too much! Your progress really can come crashing down if you overdo it. Your body will start to hold onto all its stored fat, thinking it’s in a state of emergency and needs to preserve energy. And keep this in mind too! You’re much more likely to binge when you’re exhausted and completely depleted.
Watch Your Feet
Ouch! Your feet can really take a beating. Whether you’re taking a gym class at a Club Fitness gym or out pounding the streets on a run, your feet are going endure a whole lot of strain! So take good care of them.
First and foremost, you need to invest in some good quality training shoes. This is especially important for any sport that puts pressure on your feet, such as a run. You might also want to invest in some knee support, as any discomfort in your feet could quickly pass to your other leg joints.
Take Amino Acids
During your fitness journey, you will hear about different vitamin and nutritional supplements. While some of them really aren’t worth it, that’s not always the case. And one that you might want to consider is amino acids.
Take the example of L-Glutamine. L-Glutamine can be helpful during weight and strength training to help repair wear and tear to the muscles. This can help you stay in top condition. You can find L-Glutamine and different amino acid supplements online or at your nearest health food store. Talk with your healthcare provider about proper dosage.
Save The Best Till Last
Do you find that you often give up halfway through your workouts? Here’s how to tackle this. Think about the different exercises and activities you’re doing. No doubt there will be some that you don’t particularly enjoy.
Don’t leave the worst part of the workout for the end. You’ll dread it the whole time. Think of something you actually enjoy (makes you feel strong, or graceful, or just plain badass) and save it for the end. That way, you have something to look forward to!
Don’t Workout While Hungry
Obviously you’re not going to hit the gym after a huge meal. Similarly, make sure you don’t work out while you’re hungry. Because if you do, you’ll probably play out one of these discouraging scenerios.
You might run out of energy all together, leading to a workout crash and burn. And if you make it through your workout without fainting, you’ll end up in a ravenous binge at your following meal time. Now you’ll put back on what you just took off.
Listen To Your Body
Can you feel creaks or slight twinges anywhere in your body when you work out? If so, it could be time to rest up. Don’t push your body too far and cause an injury. It’s always important to listen carefully to your body. It’s really great at giving you some early warning signals. You just need to listen.
Eat Complex Carbs Before Your Workout
Your body needs as much energy as possible to keep it going. And this is where complex carbs come in. Ideally, you should eat them a couple of hours before your workout. That way, your body can slowly release their energy throughout your training session.
Don’t wait until right before your session to eat them. You won’t have time to properly digest. Can someone say side cramp? And stay away from processed carbs, such as white bread and white pasta. These will cause bloating and are just plain bad for you.
Train With A Partner
Another great way to stay motivated is to find yourself a training buddy. You can cheer each other on. And inspire each other with some healthy competition. See who can go harder and longer. Set up long term goals and see who can get there first. There’s nothing quite like a spot of friendly competition to keep you going!
Do Cardio After Strength Training
There are lots of people who like to do their strength training and cardio workouts on the same days. This works as long as your body is up to this. However, you might want to try doing your strength work first. Think of it this way – if you were exhausted after a five-mile run, do you think you’d be able to lift all your usual weights? The answer is probably not! But doing it the other way around might make it a lot more realistic.
Stretch After Every Workout
It is absolutely crucial that you stretch properly after each workout session. This will help your body heal and recover so that it is ready for the next time you hit the gym. Failing to stretch could leave you very prone to injury, so you have been warned!
Sweat more and take your training up a notch to get as much out of your workouts as possible!
**All photos courtesy of Pixabay
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