By Karen Sessions NSCA-CPT
MsFit
MsFit
You are all psyched about your new fitness program to build, or
at least maintain muscle, and shed body fat. Everything is written out to the
letter of what you must do to accomplish your goals. All the numbers add up to
ensure success and now the trick is to follow it.
As time passes, don't let other things become more important.
Don't put your fitness endeavors on the back burner and only exercise when time
permits. Do something everyday that supports your fitness lifestyle and avoid
the pitfalls.
Reason #1 - Failure to set goals – Setting
goals is one of the most important aspects in anything you attempt. What do you
want to accomplish and in what time frame? If you don't have concrete goals, you
don't have a plan.
You should set short-term goals, (daily and/or weekly) as well as long-term goals (monthly and/or yearly). Goals give you vision and depth. They allow you to work toward something, rather than floating around aimlessly with nothing to shoot for.
You should set short-term goals, (daily and/or weekly) as well as long-term goals (monthly and/or yearly). Goals give you vision and depth. They allow you to work toward something, rather than floating around aimlessly with nothing to shoot for.
Reason #2 - Jumping in with both feet –
Jumping into a fitness program with both feet is very common. Many times people
get all ho hum with their goals and exercise program and have a do-or-die
attitude. Granted, it's a good attitude to have, but it can also be a legacy.
Begin your program slowly by taking small successful steps each day, week, and month rather than just diving into the program and hitting rock bottom suddenly. You must have elbow room to ensure success. The body does respond to small amounts of exercise and those who begin by doing too much too quickly end up on the sidelines due to burnout.
Begin your program slowly by taking small successful steps each day, week, and month rather than just diving into the program and hitting rock bottom suddenly. You must have elbow room to ensure success. The body does respond to small amounts of exercise and those who begin by doing too much too quickly end up on the sidelines due to burnout.
Reason #3 - Carrying all your eggs in one basket – All too often, many people begin their fitness endeavors by cutting calories, adding endless hours of cardio, and popping weight loss supplements left and right. Your body adapts very quickly and if you use all your resources at one time, you won't have anything to fall back on when you hit a stalling point.
Begin lowering calories slowly and adding cardio slowly. Keep harmony and balance. After a few weeks you can incorporate the supplement of your choice to help give the body a boost.
Reason #4 - Not knowing where to begin – Not
knowing where to begin is not uncommon. Many people don't have a starting point
or know how to create one. Establishing a starting point is crucial and can be a
significant factor in your success.
A quality starting point should include your current body status (weight and body fat percentage). This will allow you to determine your caloric base and macro nutrient intake. In addition to your stats, you need to make a fitness plan to include resistance training and cardio to build lean muscle and decrease body fat.
A quality starting point should include your current body status (weight and body fat percentage). This will allow you to determine your caloric base and macro nutrient intake. In addition to your stats, you need to make a fitness plan to include resistance training and cardio to build lean muscle and decrease body fat.
Reason #5 - Not following the fitness plan –
Many create wonderful fitness programs, yet fail to follow it properly. This can
be anything from not doing it at all or simply doing too much. Most of the time
my focus is on those not following it, but in this case I want to tap on those
who do follow it, but in excess.
If you create a plan of weight training four days a week for 45 to 60 minutes and cardio for four days a week for 30 minutes for the first week and cardio 40 minutes the second week, then do that. Don't overstate your cardio before it's time. More is not better. It's how you implement it.
If you create a plan of weight training four days a week for 45 to 60 minutes and cardio for four days a week for 30 minutes for the first week and cardio 40 minutes the second week, then do that. Don't overstate your cardio before it's time. More is not better. It's how you implement it.
Reason #6 - Improper nutrition – You can exercise until you are blue in the face and you won't see desired results until your nutrition is in order. Many venturing onto a fitness program choose poor quality food rather than whole food that nourishes the body.
For continual success in your fitness endeavors, set short and
long-term goals, pace yourself, create a fitness program and follow it as
prescribed. Staying consistent on your program will ensure success.
Fitfully Yours,
Karen Sessions
MsFit
Karen Sessions
MsFit
P.S. For ADVANCED weight loss or fitness information, please
check out How to Lose Weight; FOREVER!
Thanks for that Karen.
All the best
Daryl
No comments:
Post a Comment