Where do you start?
If you aren’t a regular in the gym or even around exercise, it can be a daunting prospect to enter into the world of fitness. Do not panic.
If you already have your own personal trainer or conditioner looking after you they should have a plan in place in order for you to reach your goal. Each goal has to be achievable, otherwise they become unrealistic and you will soon lose interest.
There are many ways to keep your body guessing. The area that I'm going to concentrate on in this Blog is the actual workout.
People have many reasons as to why they exercise. Some of them can be:
Improve Health
Improve Stamina
Improve Strength
Endurance
Lose Weight
Increase Muscle
Escape
Relaxation
but what about ENJOYMENT?!
Your workout has to be enjoyable. If it isn't, then why on earth would you carry on doing something you don’t find interesting and fun? Don’t get me wrong, workouts need to be challenging and hard work but its after the workout has been completed that you will get a sense of satisfaction and also achievement. You’ll soon have that bug that will leave you wanting more. You start to see the change in yourself, more energy, body shape, weight loss, there are so many benefits you will push yourself until that goal is reached. Then when it is, what do you do? Right. Choose another one.
The biggest mistake you can make is to keep your workout the same. If you train the same body part over and over again do you think there is going to be any development? If you sit in that steady state cardio routine every session, is your aerobic capacity going to increase? You need to have variety. I’m not talking about change every day you go into the gym or out on the field to train, but I’m talking about making small adaptations that will enhance your performance.
For example, changing the variables week by week. (By variables I mean, time spent working, rest, weight lifted, and exercise) If you do then fantastic, but if you don’t its definitely important to consider as it will keep your body guessing, developing and improving. You’ll also be laying that challenge down to yourself; can I perform more reps than last week? Can I run further in that specific time? One big thing that you will notice is your recovery time, from the moment finishing, to later on in the day, as you look back and remember what you did. Remember that first time you exercised? It may have taken you a few days to walk again properly but come the fourth session or so you're not so sore. That’s your body adapting to exercise and already becoming fitter and healthier.
So in practice here are some suggestions for exercise to put into your everyday life. They may seem basic but there is always a starting point.
- If you take a regular walk in the afternoon with your child, put them in the buggy and go for a faster than normal walk round the block. Don’t just go once- complete a couple of circuits. (record time)
- Next time jog round. Or jog one block walk one. This will allow you to recover and be ready to jog again.
- If you find yourself at home you could always perform body weight circuits. Press ups, chair dips, lunges and mountain climbers. The list is endless. Choose a number and complete that number of reps per exercise, rest for 60 seconds and repeat 3 times. As you become fitter & stronger you will need to add resistance and change the number of times you perform the exercise.
- Don’t forget your bike! If you can get a child seat to fit on the back take a ride at anytime of the day. Ride safe but you and your child will find it fun.
Remember, stay active and never feel like it is a chore. You will enjoy the new choices that you make and let your imagination determine what you do. The second you start making excuses is the second you start giving up. You decide the pace that you want to work at.
Never be happy with your workout. If you train at a gym ask your trainer ways to help improve your current fitness levels or, if you don’t have a trainer ask for advice. Advice is free!
Never stand still in your development, challenge yourself. The body can do amazing things.
If you're workout needs a kickstart, I am doing a free trial session for Mums in the Know readers at The Carrs, Wilmslow on 18th Feb at 1000. The hour long class will focus on metabolic circuits and give you some great tips on how to acheive all over conditioning and fat loss. To book your place click here.
To read my first blog for Mums in the Know click here
Check out www.andytitterrell.co.uk for more information on myself and what my company is all about. And look out for my next blog posts over the coming weeks
Check out www.andytitterrell.co.uk for more information on myself and what my company is all about. And look out for my next blog posts over the coming weeks
Warm Regards
Andy