No matter your fitness goals there are several challenges everyone eventually faces when trying to get healthier. Whether your goals are to lose weight or build lean muscle, here are some solutions to five of the most common stumbling blocks you may encounter.
•1: Trying to fix everything all at once
Overhauling your entire lifestyle may be overwhelming. Instead of changing everything all at once, start by picking the smallest change you can think of and work on that first. Once you are consistent with that, move on to another small goal. Those small changes lead to the big results.
•2: Focusing on the numbers
Everyone eventually reaches a plateau. The scale can be discouraging when the your weight doesn’t seem to budge. Don’t get discouraged, progress may still be happening. Look at how much better your clothes fit or how much stronger you are becoming. When results slow to a crawl, remind yourself of the reasons you need to succeed. Improved health, less aches and pains, a better quality of life… these are all the real reasons you started and why you should keep going. Above all else, don’t give up.
•3: Trying to out work your diet
Many people start their weight loss journey by joining a gym. While this is a step in the right direction, top-priority is nutrition. The average full-hour workout only burns the equivalent to a small meal or quick snack. It is easy to ruin all your hard work with just a slice of pizza.
If cutting 500 calories a day helps you lose 1 pound per week, then cutting 1000 will be a lot faster, right? Wrong… Starving the body may shock you into losing weight at first; however, you will also lose muscle tissue and the metabolism will bottom out, causing your progress to stall. Instead of starving yourself, maintain a balanced diet and focus on slow, sustained weight loss.
•4: Falling for gimmicks
Everyone wants a magic pill that can make them lose weight, but the fact is there isn’t one. There are thousands of products on the market making empty promises for miraculous fat loss. Many of these products are not only a waste of money, but these unregulated supplements may be harmful to your health. Recognize that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Instead of wasting your time, meet with a licensed registered dietitian and your doctor both of whom can make recommendations based on the latest information and whose ethical codes encourage them to do what is best for you rather than sell you the latest fad.
•5: Wasting time in the Gym
Belonging to a gym or fitness club provides community and a variety of activities… but what is your plan once you have joined? Many gym-goers find no progress with simply walking on the treadmill and using a few machines, and just as many overdo it and end up quitting due to injury. According to The International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association, over 80% of people quit the gym within their first few months. Don’t let yourself become a statistic.
Take steps to make sure you aren’t wasting your time and effort. Make a plan to be consistent and work for gradual progress. If you are completely lost at where to start, consider hiring an experienced personal trainer. They can make recommendations and help you set up a plan to help you succeed.
Whatever hurdles you face there are experts out there who can help you get the most out of your diet and exercise program. Proper planning, having a supportive community, and finding your motivation are the keys to making it to your goals.
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