Not
getting as much from your workout as you used to? Do you sense that your results are flat lining?
If you are in danger of giving up because of these or similar frustrations, don’t do it!
Here are
seven simple ways to improve results and put a smile back on your face.
1. Stretch
When you prepare your body for physical
activity you have a broader range of motion and improved circulation. Your
performance will improve and there is less chance of injury. Make time to
stretch; it’s worth the few extra minutes and the payoff in performance could
be big.
2. Hydrate
Even
slight dehydration can keep you from getting the full benefit of your workout.
Left unchecked, it’s dangerous. Without proper hydration, you may feel tired
and miss out on the full benefit of the exercise. Keep a bottle of water by your
side and take frequent, regular sips. This keeps your body temperature
regulated and your system fueled, both of which enable you to work out to your
maximum potential.
3. Get a
Workout Partner
A workout
partner helps you stay motivated. Find a friend with comparable ability,
workout goals, exercise interests, and a similar workout schedule. Casual
conversation makes the time pass pleasantly and quickly, and you can cheer each
other on when one or the other is not quite up to it.
4. Interval
Training
To burn more calories without spending more time at the gym, alternate
bursts of higher aerobic activity with lighter activity. For example, if you walk on a treadmill, after your
initial warm up, add short bursts of jogging between fast-paced walking. The
number of calories you burn will jump considerably. Try incorporating this
strategy into any aerobic exercise.
5. Plug In
Listening
to music provides a great distraction. It diverts your attention from
repetitive movements, so your workout is less of a grind. Podcasts, audiobooks
and music can keep you entertained and at times help you forgot you’re in the
middle of a workout. There is also evidence that exercising to music increases
brainpower!
6. Pump It
Up
The more
muscle you have, the more calories your body burns. Start with light weights
and build up to heavier ones. Lift weights slowly and smoothly rather than quickly. Focus on
form to reduce the chance of injury. You can start by using resistance tubing
then move to free weights and weight machines to become stronger and
leaner.
7. Protein
Shake
Consuming
the right calories after a workout can have an impact on your muscles. Soft
muscle tears during exercise and since protein is the building block of muscle
repair and growth, drinking a protein shake soon after your workout gives your
body exactly what it needs to build muscle.
Incorporate these
seven ideas into your workouts and you will burn more calories, reduce
body fat, and increase muscle. As you become stronger, leaner and healthier,
that smile will return to your face. And for very good reason!