The response your body gets from the short, fast and heavier work will have a greater effect on your body and last longer throughout the day. This Summer you are going to be in the best shape of your life! Not only with how fit you are, but you’re determined to drop the kilos too.
This is a pretty common thought for most people, but despite previous years, this is the year where you are going to actually get there. This change is going to require some adjustments though. Some of these will be a challenge for you, but as the saying goes “if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you” right?
START NOW
There’s absolutely no doubt that the earlier you start focusing on your lifestyle, the easier it will be to get in shape. So, right now, this very moment you need to start. Not tomorrow, or Monday, but now.
For most of us, we hide ourselves away in the colder months and eat more than we should. When this happens we start to feel softer and more sluggish; this takes time to happen, so expect the good stuff to take time too. If you have no motivation, then think about what you want when it comes to your fitness. When you identify what means the most to you, it’s easier to get yourself to training every day.
CUT BACK ON BOOZE
Drinking with friends is always a fun social activity, it allows you to unwind and have a good time. However drinking alcohol is one of the biggest causes of most people failing their fitness plans. It’s incredibly rare for anyone to have a huge night, then be up early to train the next day. In fact you are probably more likely to feel sorry for yourself and indulge in some greasy food for your hangover. Not only that but alcohol has a lot of calories that are just useless for your body.
I don’t believe the regular person looking to get in good shape needs to stop drinking. However, discipline and focus will be the difference between getting in the shape you want and not. If having a wine or beer after work is your way of winding down, it’s time to keep yourself busy in other ways. If you have friends coming for a visit, then put yourself first and decide whether drinking every day will actually benefit you.
DO MORE FASTER
It used to be a measure of your workout success that the longer you trained; the better it was for you. The problem with long training sessions filled with cardio is they mean you can’t keep up the intensity. Intensity is power, it’s you working hard with weights and speeds that challenge you.
This is why we program Strength followed by short 10-12 minute high intensity workouts for our gym. The response your body gets from the short, fast and heavier work will have a greater effect on your body and last longer throughout the day. So ditch the long cardio (ok, maybe keep one day a week if you REALLY want), and focus on working hard for shorter amounts of time. Your metabolism will shoot through the roof, and you will build lean muscle that will help you drop more body fat.
TRAIN WITH SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU
If you know that in the past you’ve fallen off the wagon pretty quickly, then chances are you haven’t had a training partner who will tell you the truth when you need to hear it (trust me, I know this too well).
A good training partner will turn up to every session; they will follow up with you and make sure you are on track. When you start making excuses, they will be the first to tell you to “harden up”. Some days you will hate hearing it, but when you both stand there on the first day of Summer and see how far you’ve come; that hard work will seem like nothing.
Getting in shape is hard, it really is. You have to make changes everywhere, and even a sacrifice or two. You know this though, but maybe a gentle reminder is all it takes… for now.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start, RIGHT NOW!
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