Captain Ahab’s BodyBlog

1. Make fitness a priority.

Schedule and mark on your calendar your workout times. Make the commitment. It is a lifestyle change rather than a temporary fix.
 
 

2. Choose a convenient gym or workout facility.

Choose a place to workout that is convenient and close. If you have to travel a long distance or through heavy traffic you may find yourself finding reasons not to go.
           
3.    Set realistic & attainable goals.

Instead of saying I think I will lose 40 lbs this year, set weekly and/or monthly goals of losing 2 lbs per week or even 5 lbs this month. Small accomplishments feel wonderful, and can be just the motivation you need to push on to the next small accomplishment
 
 

4. Start off slow.

Don’t start by working out so hard that you end up making yourself too sore to move. Focus on learning correct form and using weights that allow you to continue with correct form.
 

5. Change up your routine.

Following the same routine continuously can result in either boredom or a plateau. Change your routine every 3 months. If not your routine then your sets, reps weights and/or rest periods between sets.
 
 

6. Keep a workout journal.

Keep a workout journal and hold yourself accountable to making improvements. It will help to be able to look back and see where you started and how far you have come.
 

7. Find a workout partner.

It helps to workout with either a partner or friend. Friendly competition can push you to greater gains.
 

8. Hire a personal trainer.

If you are not sure of correct form or what routine will give you the best results hire a personal trainer. If even for a week it will be money well spent if you are shown how to lift correctly. Some people may also need a personal trainer to motivate them, especially if they are not used to pushing themselves.
 
 
 
        9. Make sure you get enough sleep.

The fastest way to derail a good workout routine is by not getting enough sleep. Many times lack of sleep will lead top overeating, lack of energy and/or skipping workouts altogether.
 

10. Be patient.

Make a firm commitment to stick with it for at least 3 months, preferably four. Remember that it took you years to get into the shape you are now in and it takes a while for your body to adjust to your new workout program and the average time for a good body transformation is approx. three months, so be patient and give yourself a chance.
                      
 
 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.