Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are becoming more and more popular every day. Many people follow fitness influencers on Instagram or YouTube and have a secret wish to achieve exactly the same look. Still, most of them feel insecure and think it’s not possible for them to accomplish these goals.
If you are one of those people, don’t worry. Every beginning is difficult and it’s normal to feel a bit confused when you start working out. Your fitness journey isn’t any different from other areas of your life, for example – your career. You weren’t just born as a doctor or a teacher – you needed to take many steps to make your career a reality (college, university, exams, all the studying, etc.).
Nothing in life happens randomly and you always need a good strategy to become successful. This is also applicable in the realm of fitness. Knowing your goals and having the best plan possible is essential.
Here are a few effective tips that will help you on your fitness journey and increase your odds of reaching your goals easily and quickly.
Hire A Personal Trainer
Going to the gym is probably one of the best ways to lose weight and gain strength and muscle. But the truth is many people don’t really know what to do in the gym. Beginners often feel overwhelmed and even more experienced athletes experience problems, such as a plateau. This is why personal training is the best option for the majority of people, no matter their level of expertise. Sure, it can cost you more than a regular gym membership, but the benefits are astonishing.
By hiring a personal trainer you will less likely slack off because you already paid and the trainer is waiting for you. Even if you feel lazy that day, knowing these facts will probably make you go to your workout session anyway. A trainer will set your goals and check on you all the time. Think of them as your accountability buddy.
Studies have shown that people who work out with a professional tend to stay more focused and achieve better fitness levels faster, without the risks of injury. If you go to the gym regularly but you feel nothing is changing, a personal trainer can find new ways for you to burn more calories and build muscle mass. They can also check if you are exercising correctly. Gym injuries can be quite serious, especially if you are lifting heavy weights, so make sure you do all your exercises properly.
Stick To Your Workout And Nutrition Plan
Beginners often just walk into their gym and use any machine that is currently available. The truth is – you will never achieve your fitness goals easily and quickly with that approach. Following a strict workout plan is proven to give you the best results possible. Here is a list of principles you should use to make your workout strategy:
- Move your body every day. You don’t need to go to the gym, just a quick run or a walk in the park will do the trick. You can also do some workouts at home. There are many free programs on YouTube, including yoga, pilates, dance, cardio, etc. Make sure you have an activity of your choice for at least 20 minutes a day.
- Do cardio workouts once or twice a week. If your goal is to lose weight and get lean, try performing cardio at least three times a week. If you don’t like running, don’t worry. You can walk, do some jumping jacks, or take a dance lesson.
- Don’t be afraid of weight exercises. You may think you will get too “bulky” but that’s a myth. Incorporating weight training at least twice a week is important for your strength and your overall health.
- Try HIIT training and perform it at least once a week. HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training has become very popular during the last decade. It can be quite challenging but the results are amazing. It burns more calories than any other workout and has various health benefits.
- Don’t forget to stretch. It keeps your muscles and joints flexible and healthy and it helps your body recover from your workout much faster.
When it comes to your nutrition, make sure you don’t follow any extreme diet plans since they can be dangerous for your health. Studies have shown that moderation is the key especially if you are a beginner. Just imagine having a very strict meal plan. It may be fun for a month but the chances are you won’t last for a very long time.
Try cutting out junk food and sugar to start. You will feel a huge difference after a few days and after a month you will certainly lose some extra pounds. Make sure you eat healthy, nutritious food and don’t forget about protein, which will help you get lean and eat less in the long run.
Getting fit isn’t important for your appearance only. It is a great way to improve your health and lead an active lifestyle. Follow these simple tips and enjoy your fitness journey.