Sooner or later, everyone begins to realize that they need some kind of fitness routine. Getting fit will give you more energy, help you sleep better and can even slim you down. Here are some great tips to get you started with a fitness regime that you can live with.
Do not make it excuses. When it comes to working out regularly and sticking to it long-term, you can prove to be your own worst enemy. Once you make a plan to workout two or three times a week, stick to it. No exceptions. Don’t let yourself put it off.
To help you perform your best during your workout, you need to stay hydrated. Losing even one percent of your body weight through sweat can place added stress to your cardiovascular system. Two hours before working out drink at least 16 ounces of water. During your workout drink five to ten ounces every 15 to 20 minutes. When you are finished with your workout drink at least 16 ounces of water for each pound of weight loss due to sweat.
Stretch those muscles. Your muscles have to get stretched for longer periods of time as you get older. Aging causes muscle density to decrease, as well as a decrease in pliability. Under 40 years old? Hold stretches for about 30 seconds. Over 40? Stretch for about a minute. You’ll feel more flexible and limber this way.
A great way to get fit is to post your progress pictures on an online forum such as bodybuilidng.com. Other people will be able to critique how you’re doing, and can help steer you in a better direction. Posting pictures is also a great way to get motivation.
A really good way to help you get fit is to put up pictures of your ideal body around your house. By constantly being aware of the body you want to have, you’ll be more likely to stick with your fitness goals. You can get creative with where you place these pictures.
To exercise your ab muscles, you should do crunches. Simply lay flat, backside down on the ground. Then raise your legs with your feet still on the ground and knees pointed upward. Place your hands behind your head and slightly raise your upper body off the ground, but don’t come all the way up. This strengthens your core muscles.
If you are a runner and would like to build endurance and speed, train like Kenyan runners. The first third of your run go slowly. The middle third start running at your normal pace. At the end run faster than normal. Each week slowly increase your starting pace, and this will help to increase your normal and fast pace, too.
Rather than seeing exercise as something you “must” do, try to see it as something you want to do! Love dancing? Then hit the nightclubs! Enjoy a good hike? Then grab your running shoes! Cleaning the house, taking a walk with an old friend, romping around in the backyard with your dog – if it’s something you enjoy doing, you’re much more likely to stick with it.
Proper exercise will require that you build up your stamina if you’re overweight and relatively inactive. You can start to increase your stamina by working on your breathing techniques. When working out, you literally get “winded.” Learn to take in more oxygen during your workout and you can increase your duration.
Many people think that you should work muscle groups that are active in many of the same workouts. This is not the case. You should actually try and work out opposing muscle groups, for instance, triceps and biceps. While one is working out, the other has the chance to rest.
Lunges can be an important part of building up the muscles in your legs for any kind of leg activity like running or play soccer. Instead of stepping forwards with your lunges try stepping backwards. This forces the front of your legs to get the brunt of the workout.
Even though you may want to strengthen your abs there is a such things as working them too much, and you should be careful about that. You should work on your abs no more than two or three days a week. You can do some damage if you overwork them so be careful.
When working out, a great tip that will prevent you from injuring your back is to squeeze your butt muscles when lifting weights over your head. The reason for this is that this puts your body in a position where your spine will be stabilized, which minimizes the chance of injuring your back.
When working out, do so with a partner. Having a friend or family member with you when you work out makes the time go faster and makes the workout feel easier. It also takes the focus off the discomfort or pain you are feeling during a strenuous workout routine.
Start an exercise program that doesn’t cost anything. Even if you can’t afford to join a gym or buy expensive home-training equipment, you can still get a great workout. Go down to your local school on the weekends and play basketball or run on the track. Even walking briskly through your neighborhood can give you decent cardio without spending a dime.
Find a workout you love. You will have a better chance of reaching your fitness goals if you are doing an exercise that makes you happy. You will be surprised at how easy your work-outs will be when you are enjoying them. If you find your routine is a chore, than get a new one.
Use these tips as a map towards a fitter you. Once you’ve started with these tips, always be on the lookout and find new ones. This way, your fitness routine will always stay fresh and you’ll be able to stick with it. Remember, the most important thing is to stay committed to a fitness routine, so that you can start to see the results that will benefit your entire life.