Fitness
This is a basic exercise for the biceps (arms).
Steps
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, your knees slightly bent and your abs drawn in.
Grasp a barbell with a shoulder width underhand (palms facing up) grip. Lower your arms fully to above your thighs and bending only your elbows, raise the bar to your upper chest.
Pause for a moment and then return to the starting position.
Tips
Do not swing your hips or back during this exercise.
A great overall exercise for the lower body. This version uses dumbbells instead of a barbell. Beginners may find this version easier to perform.
Steps
Grasp a dumbbell in each hand. Place your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart with your knees and toes pointed slightly outward. Drawing your abs in descend slowly by bending at the knees and hips as if you are sitting down (squatting). Lower yourself as far as you can control without letting your body shift towards your toes (this will cause you to loose balance). Pause in the downward position and slowly return upright to the starting position.
Tips
Practice the squat without any weight to allow yourself to become comfortable with the movements.
Determine your purpose of working out.
When it comes to the level of intensity that you want to go through in working out, you need to determine your purpose for it first. You have to decide if you want to simply get fitter or you want to build more muscles in exercising. On top of that, different forms of exercise may also be involved if you want to excel in a certain sport. By determining your purpose, you can easily decide on what kind of routines you want to do.
Losing weight.
If you want to lose weight, one of the best things that you can do is to exercise. However, in order for it to be effective, you have to properly determine your goals for it. On top of that, you should also set a timeframe in achieving them. For example, you can set your goal as losing 5 to 10 pounds in a period of 1 week.
Think of an event that you want to get ready for.
Getting excited for a certain occasion can help you a lot when it comes to your motivation for exercising. With that, it is best if you can think of an event in the future that you want to prepare yourself for. One example is a high school reunion, in which you want to impress your previous schoolmates, that you are able to remain fit.
When you exercise, you can become more energetic.
If you are constantly feeling sleepy at work, then you should get some exercise soon. Exercising can actually make you more energetic. Thus, thinking about how much energy you can gain from it, should make you more motivated in hitting the gym and start working out.
Building your abdominal muscles.
Lots of people think that the best way to build their abdominal muscles fast is to work them out each day. However, this is actually untrue, since you should also let them get enough rest. If you want to achieve better abs in lesser time, then you should just work them out for about 2 to 3 times in a week.
The relation between limbering and your age.
As you age, especially reaching the age of 40, your muscles would become less pliable. In other words, you have to limber or stretch them longer. When you are under the age of 40, you can stretch your muscles and hold them for just 30 seconds. At the age of 40 and above though, it is best to hold your stretches at 60 seconds.
Preventing neck strain.
Whenever you work out your abs, you have to make sure that you are putting the pressure on the abdominal muscles. This would ensure that your neck would be protected properly. On top of that, you can also place your tongue on your mouth’s roof whenever you do your crunch exercises, since it can align your head the right way and prevent neck strain.
Think about rewarding yourself after every workout session.
If you want to motivate yourself more in exercising, then you should think about a reward to give to yourself for completing each workout session. It can be watching a movie, eating your favorite meal, or
simply going out for a relaxing day at the mall. By doing this, you would become more excited each time you are headed for the gym.
Build more muscles to lose weight.
If you want to lose weight fast, then you should go through exercise routines that can build more muscles. This is because, muscles require lots of calories to maintain. Thus, the more muscles you have, the more calories and fats you would be burning, which would result to faster weight loss.
Don’t spend too much time in building muscles.
When it comes to going through exercise routines to build muscles, you should not go beyond the one hour mark for it. This is because, your body can produce the stress hormone called cortisol when you do that. This hormone can block testosterone and prevent your muscles to get developed.
How to stay committed in exercising.
There may be times when you don’t want to go through the exercise routines, just because you don’t feel like it. However, if you skip one or two sessions just because of that, it can become a habit, which is not good. Whenever you feel like not going through the workout session, remind yourself of your goals, as well as the benefits you can enjoy from exercising, so that you can proceed.
Go through weight workouts in order.
The best way to workout your muscles is to start with dumbbells, followed by barbells, and then the machines. It is best to start with the smaller muscles, since they no longer would be required to work once you go with the heavier weights. Follow this, so that your muscles would be given proper workout.
Do not forget your core.
It is important that you strengthen your core if you want to perform different forms of exercise effectively. With that, you should not be afraid in doing situps. This is because, this exercise routine can make your abdominal muscles work longer and harder, aside from increasing your range of motion. Make sure that you do it properly though, so that you won’t hurt your back.
Gaining more benefits from cardiovascular exercises.
If you simply want to improve your health, then you should just go through moderately intense cardiovascular exercise routines for 30 minutes each day. You can do this for 5 days a week if you want results faster. If you want to do it just 3 days though, then you should go through vigorous routines for 20 minutes only.
Cardio exercises can help you lose weight.
When it comes to losing weight, you can also go through cardiovascular exercise routines for it. To hit your goals, you need to go through intensive cardio exercises for 60 to 90 minutes each time. Do it several days in a week, so that your body would be able to burn more fats and calories.
How to determine if you are working out at a moderate level of intensity.
When you ask advise from experts, you may have heard them tell you about exercising in a moderate level of intensity. However, you should also know what they mean by it. A simple way to determine this is that, if you are still able to talk while you are working out, then you are doing it right.
Strength training and weight loss.
Strength training can definitely help in making you lose weight. This is because, you would be building more muscles. Aside from that, while your muscles are trying to recover and get developed, your body actually continues to burn more calories and fats for it. To make sure that you lose weight though, you should also take note of your calorie intake.
Don’t forget to target the major muscle groups.
In strength training, you may be given choices as to what routines you want to go through with. Keep in mind that certain routines target certain muscle groups. When you choose about 8 to 10 exercise routines for strength training, you should make sure that they target the major muscle groups, so that you can have a more balanced workout session.
There is no need to target all your muscle groups in one session.
If you are the one to come up with your own workout program, you have to take note that there is no need for you to target all the muscle groups each day. If you workout every day, then see to it that certain muscle groups are given ample time to rest before targeting them again. By doing this, you are giving time for your muscles to recuperate and get developed.
Choosing the bench properly.
When you work out, there are certain routines that would require you to make use of a bench. Keep in mind that benches are not made equal. To test it out, press your thumb against it. If your thumb can feel the wood, then you have to find another one. This is because, it tells you that the bench is too hard for lifting, which can weaken your arm.
How to swim faster.
One of the best ways to increase your speed in swimming is to develop the flexibility of your ankles. This is because, your feet are like your flippers that can make you swim faster through the water. There are lots of simple exercise routines that you can go through for it. Perform them, so that you can swim faster than your friends soon.
No more excuses.
Lots of people are not able to achieve their fitness goals due to their excuses. One of the most popular excuses of all time is being too busy to workout. To get rid of it, try to workout on a single day even for just 10 to 15 minutes. After going through it, think if you were made underproductive by going through the exercise routines. You would most likely think that it did not affect your productivity and realize that you can always exercise each day without worrying about your work.
When to buy your working out shoes.
You may think that there is no specific time in a day that is best when it comes to purchasing a pair of shoes. However, it is actually best to buy shoes in the afternoon or at night. This is because, these are the times when your feet are at their largest size. By doing that, you are ensuring that you can buy the perfect pair according to size.
Workout with your spouse.
If you want to make working out more exciting, then you should do it with your spouse or special someone. There are lots of benefits that you can both derive in working out, which is why there is no way he or she can say no to it. By doing it this way, you can enjoy your workout sessions more.
Watch TV programs about exercising.
Watching television programs about working out can make you more motivated in going through your routines. On top of that, you can also learn valuable lessons from it, especially when you watch those that are hosts by experts in the field. Check out the channels that show such programs, so that you can take note of them.
Make the necessary preparations.
If you are just about to start with your workout program, then you should make the necessary preparations for it. In other words, you should acquire appropriate clothing for working out. On top of that, if you decide to exercise at your own place, then you should also buy the necessary exercise equipment, such as dumbbells, barbells, and more.
Building up the strength of your forearm.
If you want to improve the strength of your forearm, you can make use of newspapers for it. All you have to do is to lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor, and take about 30 seconds to crumple it with your hand. Doing this can help you in performing well in tennis as well as racquetball.
How to improve and maintain flexibility.
A person’s flexibility can decline as he ages. However, you can improve or maintain it by going through stretching exercises. When you go through stretching though, its benefits are not limited to maintaining your flexibility. It can also help you relax more and get you prepared for your whole workout session better.
Working out your back muscles properly.
One of the routines you can perform to target your back muscles is the lat pulldowns. To do this properly though, it is best if you don’t wrap your thumb around the bar, and place it beside your index finger instead. When you do this, you are decreasing the pressure applied on your arms, which results to working your back harder.
Stretching many times in a week.
It is actually good to do stretching a lot of times per week. In fact, doing it everyday can give you a lot of benefits. If you have a hectic schedule though, you can always just do it for 2 to 3 days in a week. When you stretch, do it within your range of motion, and hold every stretch that you do for about 15 to 30 seconds each.
Don’t just focus on your strengths.
When you workout, you would find out that there are routines that you like, and some that you do not like. There is a good probability that those routines that you do not like are the ones that you are not good at. In other words, they may involve your weak muscles. Thus, it is best if you do the ones you don’t like more often, so that you can get rid of your weaknesses.
Visit your doctor.
Prior to getting involved with any kind of training or workout program, it is imperative that you visit a doctor first. This way, he can get you checked out if you are fit for going through certain workout routines. Aside from that, he may also be able to tell you what exercises you need the most, in order to achieve your goals faster.
Eliminating boredom.
One of the culprits behind failures when it comes to losing weight or building muscles is boredom. Thus, it is important that you prevent it from happening to you. To eliminate the chances of getting bored, you should vary your exercises. Aside from that, you can also change your frequency, time, as well as the intensity of your exercise routines from time to time.
Building your arms even after getting hurt.
When you lift weights, there is always a possibility to injure or hurt one of your arms. However, there is no need to stop working out, if you only hurt one of them. For example, if you hurt your left arm, you should continue working out your right arm. This is because, when you work out one arm, it actually stimulates the muscle nerve fibers of the arm that got hurt.
Count backwards.
When it comes to counting your repetitions, it is a good idea to count backwards. This is because, when you do it this way, instead of thinking about how many you have already done, you can only think about what you have left. Thus, it makes working out easier for you as you approach the end part of the set.
Your workout progress.
If you have not been going through exercise routines for quite some time, then it is important to go with easier exercises first. In other words, don’t immediately perform intensive exercises, since it can get your muscles strained. Start with low intensity workout routines first, and go with the more challenging ones, when you have gained more experience in it.
Improving the condition of your legs.
When you exercise, it is best if you target your calves as well, so that you can improve the condition and the looks of your legs. To achieve this, you should do seated as well as the standing calf raises. You would get better results when you do it like this, since your calves consist of two different muscles, which you can target with the seated and standing routines.
Weigh yourself prior to exercising.
Before starting with your exercise program, you should weigh yourself first. This is important, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Take note of your weight and write it down on your calendar or a notepad. This way, you can refer to it after a couple of weeks of exercising, to see your progress.
Test yourself every 3 or 4 weeks.
In working out, it is best if you test yourself regularly. Test different variables in your body such as your waist, body fat, muscle size, and such. By doing this, it would show you the results that are tangible, due to your workout program. When you see differences, then you are assured that all your efforts are paying off.
Don’t take certain medicines after working out.
It is not a good idea to drink certain medicines after going through your workout session. Some people actually take ibuprofen and acetaminophen after exercising to relieve muscle pain. However, some experts say that these drugs can actually suppress muscle development, if you take them after working out, which is why it is best to avoid them.
What to do when you are bored.
If you have been walking for quite some time already, in order to lose weight, there is a possibility that you have become bored with it. When this happens, you need to find a good alternative to walking, so that you can keep on exercising. Some of the options that you have when it comes to this would be biking, swimming, and running.
Getting rid of your protruding belly.
If you want to flatten out your stomach, then you should do more abdominal crunches each time you visit the gym. To make your crunches more effective though, one of the techniques that you can follow is to exhale with force when you reach the top of your movement. When you do this, it actually forces your abs to work harder, which results to having more muscles in that part of your body.
How to effectively achieve six-pack abs.
Although it is true that you need to go through crunches to achieve better abs, there are times when you may not be able to achieve it fast. One of the things that can prevent you from having fabulous abs is actually the fats that you have in your stomach. This is because, the fats would hide your abdominal muscles. With that, you should get rid of your fats in order to have abs.
Building bigger biceps.
When you workout, you may also want to build bigger biceps, which is why you want to perform arm curls. To become more effective on it, it is wise to bend your wrists when you perform the routine. By extending them backwards slightly, you would actually be targeting your biceps more, and work it harder.
Working out at your own home.
There are lots of benefits when you workout at your own place. Aside from the fact that you won’t have to deal with gym membership fees, you also won’t have to step out of your home and go through traffic.
However, you need to make sure that you are really committed in going through it, since there are also lots of distractions at your home.
Exercising when you are weak.
There are some people who still try to go to the fitness gym even when they have fever, cough, or colds. This is actually useless, since your body would be focusing its resources in healing itself. With that, it is best just to get some rest at your place, and only workout when you are already at the best of health.
Ride your bike to the mountains.
Going to the mountains with your friends while riding bicycles is actually great. This is because, it gives you the cardiovascular exercise that you need to build your stamina. On top of that, you can also inhale fresh air once you reach your destination. Choose your bike well though, to be on the safe side.
Hiring a trainer for exercising.
If you want to improve your weightlifting ability or for other sporting events, you can always hire a trainer for it. A trainer can provide you guidance in going through the routines that you need to tackle. On top of that, he would also make sure that you are progressing effectively.
Paying your exercise trainer in advance.
In hiring a trainer for your exercise routines, you may want to pay him in advance. This is because, it would ensure that you would follow through on your workout sessions. On top of that, it would also ensure that the trainer would be guiding you properly.
Building your muscles more by stretching.
After working out a certain muscle group, it is actually a good idea to stretch them. When you stretch them, they would actually get developed faster. Do the stretching for 20 to 30 seconds, so that your muscles would get developed faster. This should be done on a regular basis, so that you can see results soon.
Exercise to lose weight.
Exercising to lose weight can be effective, especially if you combine it with a balance diet. This is because, it would depend on how much calories you would be burning and how much you are in-taking. Thus, if you can burn more calories than you eat, then it would result to weight loss.
Focus on your goals.
When you exercise, you should remain focused on your goals, so that you won’t be wasting your time. Thus, if you want to improve your strength, then you should lift more weights. On the other hand, if you want to become faster, then you should focus on workouts that would bring out that result. By focusing on your goals, you can determine the right exercise routines for it.
How to repair your muscles faster.
After working out, it is best if you get enough rest in order to recover faster. What you can do to make your recovery faster though is to lightly exercise the muscles you have worked out the following day. This is because, when you do that, it would actually help your body in delivering more nutrients to the muscles that need repairing.
Choosing the color of your workout clothes.
When you choose the colors of your workout clothes, it is best to just stick with the simple ones such as black, white, and gray. This is because, these colors would go with anything. In other words, you no longer have to spend a lot of time in matching the colors.
Choose the right footwear.
It is very important to wear the right footwear for your workout routines. This is because, the right shoes can help in preventing injuries to happen. Aside from focusing on acquiring the right size, you should also make sure that you are buying something that is in good quality, so that your investment would be worth it.
The best time to workout.
There may be certain times of the day when the fitness gym is filled with a lot of people. In most cases, this would be after office hours or early in the morning. Thus, if you can choose what time to visit the gym, then do it at the middle of the day. By doing that, you can ensure that you won’t have to wait for your turn in order to use certain workout equipment.
Resting in between your workout sets.
Keep in mind that resting in between your sets is important. However, if you want to make good use of your time while you are at the gym, then you should rest shorter during the early sets, and longer at the later part of the session. It is best to do this, since your muscles are still fresh at the beginning part, and they need more time to rest as you approach the end of your session.
Avoid talkative persons at the gym if you want to save time.
When you visit the gym, you would eventually notice that some persons simply do not know when to stop talking. If you accidentally get beside them, then they may get you delayed. With that, if you want to save time, then see to it that you avoid such persons. If they really want to talk to you, then just tell them that you have to proceed, and that, you can talk once you are done.
Do not forget your triceps.
Lots of people workout their biceps, since it is the muscle group that they can immediately see in front of the mirror. However, you should also workout your triceps, since it is also a large muscle group. By working out your triceps, you can make your arms larger.
The best way to build your triceps at home.
Triceps are muscles that can be found opposite your biceps, and they are not very easy to target. To develop them while you are at home though, you can perform the closed grip push up for it. This routine is just similar to the traditional pushup; and, the only difference is that, you need to position your hands near to each other on the floor.
How to build your arms faster.
Making your arms bigger would also make you look like a bigger person. To achieve that, you should workout not just your biceps, but its opposing muscle as well, which is your triceps. The best thing about working out these muscles is that, while you are putting pressure to one of them, the other one is forced to rest.
Frequency of strength training.
It is true that you can do cardiovascular exercises on a day to day basis. However, when it comes to strength training, you have to see to it that you have at least a day of rest in between your strength training exercise routines. This is to ensure that your muscles are given ample time to recover and get developed.
How to avoid injuries.
In order to avoid injuries, you need to make sure that each exercise routine you perform is done properly. To achieve that, you can ask an expert for help in performing it. This is important not just in preventing injuries, but also in making sure that you can achieve your goals soon.
How to exercise at work.
If you want to continue burning more calories even at work, then you should see to it that your physical activities are not limited. In other words, whenever you need to talk to an officemate, you should avoid using other means than talking face to face with him. Thus, you should not make use of the phone, chat, and email.
Perform your exercise routines slower.
It is actually best not to rush yourself whenever you exercise, especially when it comes to strength training. Performing the routines slower would actually ensure that you are targeting the right muscle groups. On top of that, it would also help in preventing injuries.
Increase your intensity regularly.
In order to prevent workout plateaus, it is best if you increase the intensity of your exercises regularly. You can achieve this by increasing the amount of weight that you would be lifting from time to time. Aside
from that, you can also do it by increasing your number of repetitions. It is best to do this, so that your muscles would be prompted to develop better and bigger ones.
Keep in mind that each routine usually targets certain muscle groups.
When you workout, especially with strength training, you have to keep in mind that each of the routines targets certain muscle groups. Thus, it is not a good idea to simply perform any type of routine that you come across with. It is best to identify the muscle groups that you want to enhanced, and select your routines according to that.
Practice proper breathing.
When you workout, you have to make sure that you practice proper breathing. This is to ensure that you won’t run out of breath when you exercise. On top of that, it would also help you perform the exercise routines properly. See to it that you practice breathing technique, so that you can go through your workout session without becoming too fatigued.
Bench press can get your chest and triceps developed.
When you do bench press, you can actually target not just your chest muscles, but also your triceps with it. With the regular bench press, it would naturally build up your chest muscles. To target your triceps, all you have to do is to place your hands closer to each other. This would take away the pressure from your chest muscles, and be applied to your triceps.
Trick in bench pressing.
If you want to achieve better results with bench pressing, you can actually perform a trick for it. To do it, all you have to do is to try to look at your dominant hand without making your head turn for it. When you do this, you won’t feel that you are actually putting the same pressure to the other hand; and, because of that, you would be able to lift more weight.
Making chin-ups easier.
Lots of people find chin-ups difficult to perform, especially to those who are thinking about pulling themselves up in doing the routine. To make it easier, you should think about pulling your elbows down with it. The reason behind this is that, thinking of pulling yourself up can make you focus more on your weight, than when you think about pulling your elbows down.
Warm up your muscles before lifting weights.
When it comes to lifting weights, it is always best if you do warm up exercises first. This prevents injuries, aside from the fact that it can also help you loosen up and perform the routines well. To warm up, you can simply perform stretching exercises, or do light cardiovascular routines.
How to tell if you are using weight that is too much for your muscles to handle.
The best way to tell if you are using the right amount of weight when you workout is to try to perform the routines slowly. If you are forced to swing the weights to lift them up, then you are using too much weight. Don’t use too much weight so that you won’t put yourself at risk for injuries.
Protect your spine at all times.
Whenever you lift weight, you should keep in mind that improper execution of the routine can hurt your back or your spine. With that, you need to make sure that you can protect your spine at all times. To
ensure that this is the case, you should practice proper posture, so that the pressure of each routine would be directed to the muscles you intend to develop.
How to breathe properly.
Breathing properly during working out is important if you want to achieve desirable results from your exercise program. To ensure that you are breathing properly, you should exhale when you exert effort, and inhale when you are resting. With that, if you are lifting weights, then you should exhale when you lift the weight, and inhale, when you return back to your starting position.
Know what routines target what muscles.
Different routines target different muscles. Thus, you have to know the routines that target the muscles that you want to enhance. For example, if you want to develop your chest muscles further, then the routines that you should be performing are pushups, chest press machine, bench press, and so on.
To build muscles, you need to load up on protein.
Proteins are the building blocks of your body. Thus, you need to make sure that you eat food items that are loaded with it. Without adequate protein supply, your body would not have the necessary tools to repair your worn out tissues. On top of that, it would also not have the capability of building up better muscles.
Walk at the park in the morning.
If you are wondering when is the best time to do your walking, then you should know that it is during the morning. Walking at the park early in the morning would give you a lot of benefits. Aside from boosting your energy levels at the start of the day, it would also give you the opportunity to inhale fresh air and absorb vitamin D3.
Exercising without going to the gym.
Keep in mind that you can always exercise without going to the gym. You can walk at the park, around the block, or even at your home. Aside from that, climbing up and down the stairs in your office or at home can also make you exert the effort to improve your physical condition. Moreover, there are also other workout routines that you can perform at home; and, some of them may require workout equipment, while others don’t.
Don’t break you exercise habit.
One of the obstacles that you can encounter when it comes to working out is when you feel like breaking the exercise habit. Once you do, it can become a regular thing to you, and eventually make you put a stop to your exercising. Thus, you should avoid long breaks in working out as much as possible. By doing that, you are ensuring that you can be in top shape for the rest of your life.
Preventing injury in running.
To prevent injury in running, you can actually do something different for one week in every six. For that one week, try to cut down the distance that you usually cover in half. Aside from that, instead of running 6 days for the week, you can also bring it down to 3. By doing this, you would be providing your body with a better chance to recover, which is also a good way to prevent injuries.
Shed off weight with milk.
Drinking lots of milk can actually help you when it comes to losing weight. This is because, milk contains a lot of calcium, and studies have proven that people who consume more calcium have lesser amounts of body fats. With that, you should include milk into your diet and combine it with your exercise program.
What to do with your tight muscles.
When you work out, you would find out that some of your muscles are tight, while others are more flexible. To get around it, you should spend more time in stretching your tight muscles. By doing this, they would become more flexible, which can help you more when it comes to performing certain exercise routines.
How to recover faster.
If you have been injured, one of the best ways to recover faster is to exercise the soonest time that it is possible. This does not mean that you should not give your body ample time to repair the injured muscles. What it means is that, as soon as you can feel that you are capable of exercising again, you should immediately go through some routines. Just make sure to focus on low intensity exercises though, so that you won’t strain your muscles.
Using a supplement.
You may have heard or read about people making use of supplements in conjunction with their workout programs. If you want to make use of one, you should know that there are a lot of different supplements that are available in the market today. Thus, you need to make sure that you properly select the product that you would be using, so that it can really help you attain your goals.
Make a list of your goals.
Aside from coming up with your long term goals, you should also have short term ones. List these goals into your notepad or a sheet of paper, which you can post on your refrigerator. It is important that you see your list on a daily basis, so that you would be constantly reminded of them. On top of that, make sure that each of the goals have dates on when you want to achieve them, so that you can see them as your deadlines.
How to become more committed in exercising.
It may be difficult for some people to fully commit themselves to exercising on a regular basis. If you want to make sure that you become fully committed into it, one of the things that you can do is to go to the gym each day or at least every other day, for a period of one month. By doing this, it would become a natural routine for you, which would become so much easier to do.
Make sure that you derive pleasure in working out.
Some people are not built for the gym. Thus, if you don’t enjoy being in the gym when you work out, then you should try working out at your own place. There may be certain things in the gym that prevent you from enjoying it. Thus, try it out at your own home, since it is very possible that it is where you really want to exercise.
Running hills.
Running uphill can be quite challenging. To make sure that you can do it faster though, what you can do is to focus on an object at the top of the hill, while keeping your head up. This can help you breathe easier, which would greatly help you in running faster and in making it to the top.
How to build up your endurance.
One of the best ways to build up your endurance is to join a marathon. To make sure that it would work , you should work hard for it, and aim to win the race. When you are able to do this, even before the marathon, you would already have your endurance improved.
Drawing X’s on your calendar.
There are lots of people who draw lots of X’s into their calendars these days to mark the days of the month, when they went to the gym. If you do this, just before the month is about to end, you would be able to see how many times you were able to go to the gym. Thus, it would motivate you to go to the gym more, so that you can see more X’s on your calendar.
Getting stronger legs with lunges.
Lunges can actually build stronger muscles in your legs. However, if you want to make it more effective than it is, you should also do the lunges in reverse. Doing it this way can actually get your front legs work more. To execute it, you only have to step backward, instead of stepping forward.
What to do when you are stressed out.
If you are stressed out, it is not an excuse not to go to the gym. In fact, it even gives you more reason to visit the gym, since exercising can actually relieve you of stress. This is because, when you workout, your body would actually release endorphin, which can make improvements on your mood.
Measuring fitness.
When it comes to measuring fitness, your weight is not the only thing that you can monitor for it. Keep in mind that if you are also going through strength training, then chances are, your muscle growth can offset your fat loss. Thus, aside from checking out your weight, you can also consider your progress in working out. If you are able to increase the number of repetitions you can do for pushups and sit-ups, then that is also a good indication of fitness improvement.
Squeezing the muscles in your butt.
When you need to lift weights over your head, then you should try squeezing your butt muscles. This would actually result to achieving a position, which can provide ample protection to your spine. With that, it can lower the chances of getting injuries at your back.
Squeezing the bar.
When you bench press and you want to put more pressure into your chest muscles, then you should try to squeeze the bar. The squeeze should follow an inward motion to properly target your chest muscles. If you want to target your triceps, then you should be squeezing the bar outwards.
Sleep at least 8 hours each night.
Each time you work out, you have to consider the fact that you are putting pressure to your muscles. With that, if you want to get your muscles developed, then you have to provide your body with enough time to repair them. When you sleep for at least 8 hours every night, not only would you be providing your body a chance to repair your muscles, but you are also ensuring that you would have high levels of energy the next day.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients that can help your body in having good levels of energy. Aside from that, they can also ensure that you are properly hydrated. Thus, it is best to eat more of them, so that you can attain your goals in working out soon.
Eat more eggs.
Egg whites contain the rare protein called albumin. This type of protein can be absorbed by your body easily. Thus, it speeds up your muscle recovery, aside from helping your body in building muscles faster. Aside from that, the yolk of the egg also contains essential fatty acids, which can help in boosting your energy levels.
Exercise one arm at a time.
There are certain forms of exercise that can be done with just one arm or with both arms. If you want faster results from them though, it is best if you do it with just an arm each time. This is because, isolating one arm in working out can get you higher quality sets than if you use both arms together. Because of this, your muscles would get developed faster.
Determine the reasons why you are not fit.
One of the best ways to get fitter is to determine the reasons why you are overweight. It could be that you are ignoring service size whenever you eat, you lack exercise, you love to watch television while eating, and more. Once you are able to do that, you can begin making up a plan that can help you lose weight and achieve your fitness goals.
Be determined in achieving your fitness goals.
If you are not determined enough in achieving your goals of losing weight, then you may be wasting your time in it. Losing weight is something that is achieved only with hard work and determination. Thus, you should be willing to do all the necessary things, even if it means sacrificing certain things for it.
Build up your motivation in losing weight.
To be able to have the drive to exercise and become more cautious in your diet, you should have the motivation for it. To achieve that, it is best to list down all the possible negative effects of becoming overweight. By making up a list, and referring to it from time to time, you will constantly remind yourself of the consequences if you won’t lose weight soon.
Be inspired.
Inspire yourself to lose weight by watching people who are fit. You can do this by regularly checking out the sports channel, or visiting stadiums to watch athletes play. When you do that, you would have the desire to become just like them, which would help you in doing things to achieve your goals.
Learn to love fruits and vegetables.
If you don’t love eating fruits and vegetables, then you should teach yourself to love them. Do not do it in an abrupt manner. What you can do is to introduce the fruits and veggies in a slower pace, such as just adding a serving of them each day. Once you get accustomed to that, which may take a week, you can gradually increase the amount of fruits and veggies in your diet, in order to become healthier.
Become more conscious on your food portions.
One of the things that one can do to gain more weight is to super size his food portions. Thus, it is important that you become more conscious on your portions from now on. To do this, you can remind yourself that you may have to purchase more larger clothes if you continue eating large quantities of foods.
Drink more water.
Drinking lots of water can help you lose weight. This is because it can suppress your appetite in a natural way. Aside from that, it can also make you feel healthier and fitter, due to the fact that it helps in flushing out toxins from your body. In addition, no matter how much you drink, it won’t make you gain weight, since it does not have any caloric content.
Start the day with a glass of water.
As soon as you get up from bed in the morning, give yourself a refreshing drink of cold water. It is one of the best things to do to start your day fresh. Aside from that, it would also help you minimize the quantity of your breakfast drink. More importantly, drinking water first thing in the morning will awaken your digestive juices, and get them prepared for your breakfast.
Eat banana early in the morning.
When you wake up in the morning, it is a good idea to eat a piece of banana. It would help in giving you the necessary energy to start your day. As long as you don’t combine it with anything, banana would not cause any kind of hyper acidic reaction in your tummy. Thus, do it around 15 to 30 minutes before you eat breakfast. Many people do this just before they go out to do their morning walk.
Drink water just before lunch or dinner.
Just before enjoying your lunch or dinner, it is a good idea to drink a glass of water. Water would actually take up some space in your stomach. Thus, even if you have not even finished eating a whole plate of meal, you would feel that you are already full.
Stay away from sodas and sweetened drinks.
Many people are so fond of drinking sodas and sweetened drinks. If you are one of them, then this practice may very well be one of the reasons why you have gained lots of weight. Thus, it is time to cut down your consumption of such drinks. Sodas taste sweet because they are filled with sugar, which would only load your body up with more calories; and, that is not a good idea.
Choose fresh fruits instead of fruit drinks.
You may be thinking that drinking fruit juices is a healthy practice. Although it is better than drinking sodas, such juices may still contain extra calories, especially if they have been processed. Thus, it is far better to eat fresh fruits than drinking fruit juices, since they contain more vitamins, aside from the fact that they can also provide you with fiber.
Eat more food items that contain water.
Food items like watermelons and tomatoes are filled with water. Thus, you should include them into your daily diet, since they would make you feel fuller, without putting
yourself at risk to gaining more pounds. On top of that, most of these foods are also filled with dietary fiber, which your body also needs in order to lose weight.
Eat more vegetables to eat less.
When you are eating more vegetables you would actually be eating lesser amounts of foods. This is because vegetables are loaded with fiber. Fiber can actually make you feel full longer, since it prolongs the digestion process. Thus, it would suppress your appetite, and pave the way to losing weight.
Think before you eat.
Whenever you are at the dining table, do not base your decisions on your instinct, especially when it comes to choosing the food items to eat. This is because your instinct may normally tell you to eat everything in sight, especially if you are really hungry.
Before you put something on your plate, you should think first, if it is something that you really need or not.
Go easy on sweet things.
Sweet things like chocolates, cakes, and candies can be tempting to eat, especially when they are presented very well. Before you put them inside your mouth though, you should remind yourself that they taste sweet, since they are loaded with extra calories. Thus, minimize your consumption on such things, so that you won’t gain more weight.
Eat only on times when you need to.
If you feel the need to open up your refrigerator and grab something to eat, you should think first, whether it is time for your snack or not. If it is not, try to drink a glass of water first, since there are times when your body would mistaken thirst as hunger. If you really need to grab a snack though, make sure that it is something healthy.
The best snack items.
When you snack between meals, it is wise if you also become conscious not just on your food portions, but also on the types of foods you eat. The best types of foods for your snacks would be fruits and vegetables. Munching on carrots or an apple would not just help in maintaining your health, but it would also control your appetite for the coming meal.
Drinking coffee.
Some people think that drinking coffee is a bad idea, especially when a person is trying to lose weight. On the contrary, drinking hot coffee at breakfast is actually a good idea, since it can help in boosting your energy levels. Just don’t drink coffee shakes in coffee shops too often though, since they are filled with lots of calories that can make you gain weight.
Stay away from foods that have been fried.
Fried foods are called as such, since they are cooked either in fat or oil. Thus, the more amounts of fried foods you consume, the more oil your body would absorb. Keep in mind that even when the external oil has already been drained, there are still lots of it that remain in the food itself.
Skipping meals.
There are lots of people today who skip their meals, especially breakfast for thinking that it can help them achieve weight loss. Skipping meals can actually result to more weight gain, since it can lower down your body’s metabolism. Aside from that, it can make you feel too hungry when it is already meal time, which can result to binge eating.
Eat a large breakfast.
Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day. This is because it is where your body would usually source out its energy for the day. Thus, it is best to fill up yourself at breakfast, so that you can boost your body’s energy levels. Aside from that, it can also help you in controlling your food portions come lunch and dinner times.
Eating eggs.
Eggs are actually healthy, especially the egg whites, since it contains the protein called albumin. Eating an egg a day can boost your metabolism, aside from providing your body with quality protein. However, make sure not to exceed two eggs in a day, since the yolk is actually filled up with a lot of extra calories that you may not need.
Eating chocolates.
Although chocolates are to be avoided when you are on a diet, you should still try to enjoy them, but only once in a while. They should be treated as a luxury instead of a routine. In other words, you may eat a small amounts of chocolates just to satisfy your cravings, but do not do it on a regular manner.
That bulging tummy.
If you have friends who are avid drinkers of beers, then you would notice another thing in common with them, which would be their bulging tummies. This is actually due to the fact that beers and other alcoholic beverages are filled with extra calories. Aside from that, they can also get your body’s metabolism to slow down. Thus, as much as you can, you should avoid drinking beers, or put a stop to that habit permanently.
Including protein in your diet.
Having a good amount of protein rich foods in your diet is a must in order to lose weight, as well as to stay healthy. This is because protein can help your body in building more
muscles, and it is harder to process than other food groups. Aside from that, protein can also help in boosting your body’s resistance to diseases.
Choose the right kind of meat.
Although lean meat is good, it is still better to go with white meat. White meat is actually far better than red meat. Sources for white meat would include fish and chicken. When you eat chicken though, make sure that you won’t include its skin, for it is loaded with fats and cholesterol.
Choosing the right bread.
When you are shopping for bread, in most cases, you would be choosing between white breads and multigrain breads. It is actually best to choose the latter, since white breads in most cases, no longer contain high fiber content, and they are highly processed.
Multigrain breads actually have high fiber content, and they even contain certain amounts of protein.
Eating pork.
Although pork is also a source of protein, it is also a source of fats and it is red meat. Thus, it is best if you reduce the amount of pork that you intake. Keep in mind though that there are a lot of products that are also made out of pork. Some of which would include bacon, sausages, hotdogs, and ham.
Limiting your sugar intake.
When you want to lose weight, you have to limit your sugar intake. Thus, when it comes to drinking coffee, you may have to limit the amount of sugar that you add into it, or go with black coffee. If you can’t have these things unsweetened though, there are lots of sugar substitutes available today. They taste sweet, but they won’t make you gain weight.
Grazing.
Grazing simply means that instead of eating 3 large meals in a day, you would be having 5 or 6 smaller meals. Doing this would actually help you in losing weight. This is because it can help in boosting your body’s metabolic rates. Aside from that, it would also help in suppressing your appetite.
Go easy on salt.
Eating foods that have high salt content is a big no-no when it comes to dieting. Eating too much salt can actually make you gain more weight. Thus, it is time to cut down your salt intake. If you cook your own food, try to bring down the level of salt that you add into your recipes. Aside from that, make it a point to avoid salty chips as well.
Bake foods instead of frying them.
Frying food items can actually add lots of fats into your system, since you would be using oil. Thus, it is better to bake your food, without the use of fats, since it won’t make you gain weight. Baking is indeed a healthier way of cooking food than frying. Thus, it is time to bake more and fry less.
Using non-stick pans.
When you cook your own food, there may be times that you may have to fry some of them. To lessen the amount of oil that you use, then it is best to utilize non-stick frying pans. Non-stick pans are available in many supermarkets today, and they are one of the best things that you can invest on in order to lose weight.
Cooking your vegetables.
As much as possible it is best to eat vegetables at their raw state. This is because when you cook them, you would be reducing the amount of nutrients that they can offer to your body. However, if you really need them cooked, try boiling or steaming them, so that you can preserve more of its moisture and nutrient contents.
Eating parsley.
If you are trying to come up with a list for food items you can include in your snacks, then try parsley. Parsley is actually filled with lots of vitamins, and it can also make your breath fresher. More importantly, it can help in attaining your fitness goals, since it is also loaded with fiber.
Crash diets.
Crash diets are programs that can help you lose weight in just a short period of time. However, in most cases, they work at that time period only, and once you stop it, which you may have to at some point in time, you may eventually gain back the weight that you have lost. Thus, if you are looking for a long term solution for your weight problems, then you should remember that crash diets is not the one.
Set more achievable goals.
When you set your goals for losing weight, such as the amount of pounds that you want to lose, make it as achievable as possible. If you set goals that are too hard to achieved, then you may get discouraged when you are not able to attain them. Thus, start with something that you believe you can reach first, so that you can start your diet program on the right path.
Don’t forget to reward yourself.
Whenever you achieve your short term goals, such as losing a few pounds or so, don’t forget to reward yourself for it. Rewarding yourself should not be done by eating out, or eating your favorite guilt foods, since it might bring back the weight you lost. Instead, it is best if you simply buy yourself a shirt or a gadget that you have been longing for.
Eating in restaurants.
Eating out in restaurants should be minimized when you are trying to lose weight. However, when you find yourself in it, make sure to order foods that are healthy and not too fattening. Keep in mind though that most restaurants provide very large food portions. To get around it, ask for another plate, and only fill it up with the right portion to eat. Take home the remaining food, and place it in your refrigerator.
Eat low calorie food items first.
Whether you are eating out or at your own house, you should start with the soups, salads, and vegetables, and, eat your protein and carbohydrate sources last. When you do this, by the time you put your attention to eating meats and high calorie food items, you are almost full. Thus, it helps in controlling your calorie intake, as well as your portion.
Make use of a food journal.
Using a food journal can help you in losing weight, since it can let you effectively monitor the foods that you eat. Aside from that, you may also use some of its pages, to plan out your healthy meals for the coming weeks. Thus, it is best that you get one soon, so that you can put it to good use.
Eat at the table and not somewhere else.
When you eat in front of your computer or while watching television, it can actually make you have more food than you need. This is because putting your attention to something else other than eating, can distract your senses. When that happens, your brain may not be able to effectively interpret the signals sent by your stomach that it is already full.
Bring your own lunch.
At work, whenever it is lunch time, you may be tempted to eat out in fast food chains or restaurants. Aside from the fact that they can cost you more money, they can actually make you gain more weight. Thus, it is time that you cook and bring your own lunch.
This way, you have full control of what you eat, which is essential when it comes to losing weight.
Add more spices into your recipes.
Adding more spices to your foods can actually make you lose weight. This is because spicy foods can make your body’s metabolism go up. With higher metabolic rates, your body would be able to burn more fats and calories. On top of that, it can also increase your energy levels to desirable points.
Avoid processed foods as much as you can.
Examples of processed foods are hot dogs, sausages, burger patties, and such. Eating them would actually put your health at risk, since they mostly contain preservatives that add more toxins to your body. Aside from that, they also contain lots of salt. Thus, it is best to avoid them as much as you can. Eat foods that are unprocessed, so that you can become healthier and lose weight.
Think positive.
You should have a firm belief that you would be able to attain your fitness goals soon. By doing that, you would have the confidence of taking on the challenges head on.
Always think positive, so that you won’t get easily discouraged, when you are not able to lose weight immediately. Aside from that, it can also help you have the motivation you need to stick to your plan.
Managing stress.
Stress is actually one of the factors that can lead you to eat more. However, you should always think that in the long run, it is more stressful if you stay fat than to stop your bad eating habits. This is because when you are overweight, you would be putting yourself at risk to its negative effects. Aside from that, it can also affect your self-esteem to certain degrees.
Get your family involved.
When it comes to losing weight, it is best if you have the support that you need in attaining it. Thus, you should inform your family and friends about what you are trying to achieve. This way, they can help you by constantly reminding you of the right foods to eat. Aside from that, they may even join you on your quest to becoming healthier.
Get enough sleep.
Sleeping for 8 hours each night is actually one of the things that you can do in order to lose weight. This is because providing ample time for your body to recuperate can make you more energetic the following day. Aside from that, when your body lacks rest, it can abnormally boost your appetite in trying to compensate for the lack of sleep.
Take a picture of yourself.
Prior to starting your fitness program, you should take a picture of yourself. This way, you would have something to compare to, once you are able to gradually achieve your fitness goals. For example, if you lose 5 pounds in a week or two, you would surely notice the difference if you are going to take another picture of yourself by then.
Exercise while losing weight.
Although dieting can already help in making you lose weight, it is still best to pair it up with a good workout program. Exercising while you are losing weight ensures that you look more toned and trim, once you are able to reach your ideal weight. There is no
need to go through very strenuous routines for it, especially if you are not into bodybuilding.
Increasing your physical activities.
Any kind of increase in your daily physical activities can work wonders for you when it comes to losing weight. This is because it can boost your body’s metabolism, which helps in burning more calories and fats. Thus, try to come up with more physical activities to do each day, so that you can reach your goal soon.
Exercise options.
There are lots of options you have when it comes to getting enough exercise. Some of which would include dancing, walking, running, biking, swimming, and more. You can also do some weight lifting if you want to. The important thing is to get your body moving so that you can burn more fats off.
How much exercise one needs.
Some people are not very sure about how much exercise they need to put themselves into, in order to become fit. The amount of exercise you need would actually depend on certain factors, which include your fitness goals, the amount of weight you need to shed off, and more. Thus, determine your goals first, so that you can decide how much exercise you need to perform each day or week.
A step you need to take prior to exercising.
To be on the safe side, you should consult with your doctor first, prior to getting involved with a certain workout program. Visiting your doctor would help a lot as far as evaluating your current physical fitness is concerned. By doing that, the doctor can tell you whether it is safe for you to go through certain routines or not. Aside from that, he may also be able to recommend the routines that would suit you best.
Come up with other ways to increase your physical activities.
Aside from going through certain workout routines, there are also other things that you can do in order to perform more physical activities. Some of which would be to get involved with gardening, fixing certain things at your place, and such. Coming up with these things would actually offer you more benefits than just physical fitness.
Park your car two blocks away from your destination.
If you are on your way to your office, park your car a couple of blocks away from it. By doing that, you will have to walk towards it, which would give you a chance to get some exercise. You can also do this when you visit the malls or the grocery stores. Walking a few blocks will not just make you fitter, since it can also help you save more money by consuming lesser amounts of fossil fuel.
Never use the elevator again.
If you need to visit someone at a certain building, or your office is at the 4th or the 5th floor, don’t use the elevator in getting to it. Use the stairs instead, so that you can let your legs have some exercise that it needs. It may be tiring at first, but once you gain more stamina by doing it on a regular basis, you would no longer feel fatigued once you reach your desired floor.
Don’t be too aggressive.
Most people, especially those that are starting their workout programs for the first time, approach it too aggressively. Doing this can actually lead to unbearable muscle soreness, body aches, and even possible injuries. Keep in mind that doing your workout aggressively may not provide you with the results you want immediately. Thus, start it slow, and be more patient.
Vary your routines.
Once you have started with your workout program, you may eventually find some routines to be a bit boring. Thus, it is best if you vary them, by doing some new routines from time to time, or by increasing their intensity. Just make sure that the routines you are doing are done in accordance to your goals, so that you would stay on track.
Take a day off from your exercise routines.
Taking a day or two to relax is not a bad idea, as long as you get enough exercise for the rest of the week. This is because your body actually needs enough time to rest. In other words, taking a day off from your exercise routines is actually part of your exercise program.
Learn more about exercising.
Learning more about exercise routines can now be done through the internet. Aside from that, you can also read books about it. By gaining more knowledge about the different routines that you can do, you would gain better understanding about them, especially when it comes to how you can benefit in performing them.
Get a partner.
Exercising alone can eventually become boring. Thus, it is best if you find someone to be your exercise buddy. He or she can be your office mate, your best friend, or even your spouse. As long as you have someone to go with you at the gym, you will always have more desire to do so, which can help you in the long run.
Walk around the park.
When you exercise outdoors, there are lots of benefits that it can offer to you. For example, if you decide to walk or ride your bike around the park early in the morning,
you would be able to inhale fresh air, which is something fitness gyms could not offer. Aside from that, it can also give you the opportunity to meet new people, who could eventually become your fitness buddies.
Purchase a mountain bike.
Many people today, even coworkers, schedule a regular weekend getaway by riding their bikes to the countryside. Some would even go to the mountains, especially those who have their own mountain bikes. Going through such activities can actually boost your stamina, and give you a good workout every week. Thus, it is a good idea to own a mountain bike soon.
Know when to stop.
In working out, you would know when your body has had enough of it. There would actually be certain signals that your body would give you; and, it is wise to listen to them. This is because there is not a good reason to push your body beyond its limits. If you are going to do that, you would be putting yourself at risk to certain injuries. Aside from that, you may get discouraged, when you experience too much muscle soreness than you can bear.
Start your workout program properly.
One of the best ways to start your workout plan properly is to go with it at a slower pace. This is because, taking it slow can prevent you from getting involved with certain injuries. Aside from that, it would also make the routines more bearable for you, which would encourage you more in going through them.
Working out at home.
If you do not have the luxury of time to visit the fitness gym to get some exercise, you can always do certain routines at home. There are lots of exercises that you can do at your own place today, some of which would be the sit-ups, pushups, jogging in place, and more. Do the routines at home, so that you can lose weight without having to spend more time in visiting the gym.
What to do to learn more routines.
If you are exercising at your own place these days and you want to learn more routines, one of the best ways to do it is to check out exercise videos. These videos are mostly made by experts in the field, and they are available in most video shops around. All you have to do is to select the types of routines you want to learn more about, play the video at your place, and follow them.
Working out at a fitness gym.
When you are working out at a fitness gym that is quite popular, there may be times in the day, when it gets filled up with lots of people. Whenever this happens, it is quite
possible that you may have to wait for your turn in using certain gym equipment. To avoid this, determine the time of the day, when not many people would visit the gym. In most cases, more people would usually hit the gym during the middle of the day, and after working hours.
Maximizing your time at the gym.
If you don’t want to waste too much of your time in the gym, then you should avoid people who talk too much. There are times when you may meet a person or two, who simply do not know when to stop talking. They can actually get you distracted in what you are trying to do if you listen to them. Thus, it is best to avoid them while you are working out; and, if you want to talk to them, only do it once you are done with your routines.
Choose the exercise program that would suit your lifestyle.
There is no point if you need to force yourself to get some exercise. It should be something that you can enjoy, as well as fit the kind of lifestyle that you have. Always remember that it is very important that you are able to stick to your workout program; and, you can only do that if the program suits you best.
Talking to your officemate.
Due to technological advancements, when you want to talk to a colleague who is a few stations away from you, you may simply need to send an instant message, an email, or pick up the phone. However, since you want to make sure that you increase your physical activities, then you should stand up and approach him. By doing that, you will be able to burn more calories.
Doing something after lunch.
After eating lunch at work, instead of playing online games on your computer while waiting for your lunch break to get done, you should step out of the office, and walk around the block. Doing that would provide you time for a quick midday exercise.
Walking around the block would not just burn more fats, but also prevent you from getting sleepy once you get back to work.
Don’t buy new batteries for the remote control.
If your television’s remote control no longer works for busted batteries, don’t mind purchasing new ones for it. It is actually better if you do not have a remote control around. With that, you will have to stand up and walk towards your TV set in order to change channels or change the volume level.
Don’t place your mobile phone beside you at all times.
When you are at home, it is best to have your mobile phone around, but not beside you. Place it a few meters away from you, so that each time someone calls, or if you receive
a message, you will have to stand up and walk towards it. After answering the call or sending back a message, place the phone back at its designated place again.
Dealing with a job that lets you sit down for most parts of the day.
Sitting down for a whole day would not just make you gain more weight, but it can also put you at risk to back aches. To get around it, you should do some stretching every 30 minutes to an hour or so. If you have some idle time, spend it walking around the office and chat with your coworkers while standing up if it is allowed.
Avoid the coffee shops as much as possible.
If it has been your practice to visit a coffee shop after work, then you should at least minimize it. In most cases, it is actually not the coffee products that can make you put on more weight, but the tasty pastries that most coffee shops offer. If you really need a cup of coffee, make some at your own place, so that you won’t get tempted of pairing it up with something sweet.
Have a pet dog.
Having a pet actually offers more benefits than just having a special companion. Your pet dog can actually help you lose weight, especially if you play with him more often. Aside from that, you can also both have a good exercise by walking him on a daily basis.
Bond with your kids more.
When you are bonding with your kids, in most cases, you would end up playing certain games, which can make your heart pumping harder. Thus, the more time you spend with them, the more exercise you can get. Doing that would not just help in attaining your goals, but it can also help in getting closer to your loved ones.
Do something during commercial breaks.
If you always find yourself watching television at nights, do yourself a favor by walking around and doing something else during commercial breaks. Aside from walking around, you may also do some shadow boxing, stretching, or even dancing. These activities should get your blood pumping, which can help in burning more fats and calories.
Dance around your room.
Every weekend, you should make it a practice to listen to upbeat music and dance like crazy. Close your door, and jump around if you want to. Make up some crazy moves and entertain yourself by facing the mirror. Pretend that you are a star performing in front of a large crowd if you want to, and simply have a good time.
Clean your room every weekend.
On weekends, you should clean your room, and whenever it is possible, set it up in a new way. This would not just offer you a way to get more excess weight off, but it can also help in getting your room more organized. Don’t forget to include the area under your bed, so that your room would become spotless.
Do breathing exercises.
Some people may think that breathing exercises would not help them lose weight. However, it actually can, since it gets your lungs working. Aside from working out your lungs, breathing exercises can actually get your muscles around the midsection to work as well. Thus, do this constantly, so that you can achieve your weight loss goals soon.
Build more muscles.
Building more muscles would not just make you look fitter, but it can also help in losing pounds of weight. This is because muscles actually require lots of calories to maintain it. Thus, the more muscles you build, the more fats and calories you would be burning, which would eventually lead to weight loss.
Purchase dumbbells.
If you can’t visit the gym to go through bodybuilding workout routines, then all you need would be a couple of dumbbells. There are lots of routines you can do with dumbbells, which can help in building up your biceps, back muscles, shoulders, and more. Once you go through such routines, you would become fitter and lose weight along the way.
Don’t mind the muscle soreness.
Once you do some routines with dumbbells or machines for muscle building, you may experience muscle soreness after. You should be glad that you feel them, since it is a sign that your body is working in order to build more muscles. This actually means that even after performing the routines, your body continues to burn more calories, in order to repair and develop your muscles.
Look at yourself in the mirror.
After waking up, get up, undress, and look at yourself in the mirror. If you are not very satisfied of what you see, then it will give you more reason to go through exercise routines to improve your physical condition. This would also offer you a chance to take note of the parts of your body, which you want to put more work on.
Set up a good workout program.
Aside from choosing a healthy diet, it is also best to set up a workout program that would suit you best. In most cases though, it is good to start with cardiovascular routines first, before you start with weight lifting. When it comes to weight lifting, you can choose between using dumbbells, machines, barbells and resistance bands or combine them all.
How to start working out the right way.
If it is going to be your first time to go through a workout plan, make sure that you start properly. Starting properly means that you need to go slow first, and gradually increase your pacing. As you progress, it is best that you assess your current condition, so that you can determine whether you need to push yourself harder or not.
Fitness is not all about losing weight.
When it comes to fitness, it is not all about losing pounds and pounds of weight. This is because some people actually want to gain weight, to attain better fitness, such as building more muscles. Thus, if you want to have bigger and stronger muscles, you should not be surprised if you gain weight because of it.
Installing your own fitness equipment at home.
Whether you want to build more muscles or to simply lose weight, it is also a good idea to install your own fitness equipment at your place. For example, if you want to develop your back muscles more, then one of the routines you may want to perform would be pull ups. To do this at home, you can actually install a pull up bar for it, which can be done in just a few minutes.
Setting up your place to get fit.
If you have decided to do your workout at home, then you should properly check if you have ample space in it. Keep in mind that you may need to have certain types of equipment installed to perform your exercises. Thus, you should designate a room at your home, where you can install and store your exercise equipment, as well as perform your routines.
Taking advantage of the internet.
When you need to perform certain routines at home, you may want to learn more about how to do them properly. To solve that, you can actually access exercise videos through the internet these days. Some of them are free, while others require payment. Search for the free videos first, so that you can save some money along the way.
Watch the mirror while working out.
While you are working out, it is best that you have a large mirror, where you can watch yourself on. Watching yourself in the mirror can actually help you in performing the routines properly. Proper execution of the routines is actually very important, since it lets you target specific muscle groups effectively.
Move around during parties.
Whenever you go to a party, there is always that big possibility to gain some additional pounds, because of the presence of so much delectable foods. To minimize the weight
that you could gain, you should constantly move around, chatting with friends, and meeting new people. Aside from that, if good music is played, then it is a good idea to start dancing.
Eat before hitting the grocery store.
If you are planning to go to the grocery store, it is wise to eat something first. The reason behind this is that, when you get inside the grocery store and you are hungry, then you may have a tendency to pick up all the attractive food items that you would come across with. Therefore, it is best if you visit the store after lunch, or after your afternoon snack.
Eat slowly.
When you eat slowly, not only will you be able to enjoy your food more, but it can actually help you lose weight as well. This is because your body would actually take a certain amount of time, before it sends a signal to your brain that it has had enough of food to eat. Thus, if you eat slowly, then you would be able to reduce the amount of food that you intake.
Bring a grocery list and stick to it.
When you shop for grocery items, it is best that you come up with a list of goods that you need to buy. When you have a list, you would have better guidance on what food items you really need. However, it is also very important to stick to it, so that you won’t end up purchasing unhealthy food items.
How to avoid junk foods.
If you are really fond of eating junk foods, then it is important that you come up with a way to avoid it. One of which is to make sure that you won’t see a single pack of junk food around your place. Thus, it is time to clear your cupboard from them, and replace them with healthier foods that you can eat.
There are many misconceptions regarding exercise that exist till today. Here are some of the most common exercise myths as well as the not-so-common facts based on current exercise research.
Exercise Myth 1. Low intensity workout burns more fat
In general, low intensity exercise has its place — it’s less stressful on joints. However, one should know that fat reduction depends on the total energy cost or how many calories burned during the activity. The faster you move, the more calories you use per minute. However, high-intensity exercise may be difficult to sustain in the beginning, so you may not exercise very long at this level. In such cases, it is safer and more practical to start out at a lower intensity and to gradually work your way up.
Exercise Myth 2. Spot reduction works for tighter abs or toner arms
All those crunching may have been done in vain. You will not see a nice muscle definition despite how many crunches you do because it lays hidden beneath all the layer of fat. Thus, when exercising, do not focus on a body part. Whole body exercises work better. This kind of thinking keeps a lot of people from maintaining or even starting an exercise program. Research continues to show that any exercise is better than none. For example, regular walking or gardening for as little as an hour a week has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Exercise Myth 3: Stretching will help prevent injuries
There is little evidence stretching prevents injuries. Current research show that muscle stretching does not reduce delayed onset muscle soreness in young healthy adults. In another study, it is found that static stretching (staying in one place during stretching) lasting more than a minute can be detrimental to performance. Athletes often swing their arms and warm up before a game. That type of dynamic stretching such as high knee jogs, walking lunges can help move your muscles through different ranges of motions.
Exercise Myth 4. If You Exercise Long and Hard Enough, You Will Always Get the Results You Want.
In reality, genetics plays an important role in how people respond to exercise. Studies have shown a wide variation in how different exercisers respond to the same training program. Your development of strength, speed and endurance may be very different from that of other people you know.
Exercise Myth 5. Exercise Is One Sure Way to Lose All the Weight You Desire.
As with all responses to exercise, weight gain or loss is dependent on many factors, including dietary intake and genetics. All individuals will not lose the same amount of weight on the same exercise program. It is possible to be active and overweight. However, although exercise alone cannot guarantee your ideal weight, regular physical activity is one of the most important factors for successful long-term weight management.
Exercise Myth 6. If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay Away From Strength Training Because You Will Bulk Up.
Most exercise experts believe that cardiovascular exercise and strength training are both valuable for maintaining a healthy weight. Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and decrease body fat percentage.
Exercise Myth 7. Water Fitness Programs Are Primarily for Older People or Exercisers With Injuries.
Recent research has shown that water fitness programs can be highly challenging and effective for both improving fitness and losing weight. Even top athletes integrate water fitness workouts into their training programs.
Exercise Myth 8. The Health and Fitness Benefits of Mind-Body Exercise Like Tai Chi and Yoga Are Questionable.
Research showing the benefits of these exercises continues to grow. Tai chi, for example, has been shown to help treat low-back pain and fibromyalgia. Improved flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, strength and stress management are just some of the potential results of mind-body exercise.
Exercise Myth 9. Overweight People Are Unlikely to Benefit Much From Exercise.
Studies show that obese people who participate in regular exercise programs have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than sedentary individuals, regardless of weight. Both men and women of all sizes and fitness levels can improve their health with modest increases in activity.
Exercise Myth 10. Home Workouts Are Fine, But Going to a Gym Is the Best Way to Get Fit.
Research has shown that some people find it easier to stick to a home-based fitness program. In spite of all the hype on trendy exercise programs and facilities, the “best” program for you is the one you will participate in consistently
Cross fit training is considered as a series of exercises that is intended to improve your conditioning and strength. Basically, CrossFit training focuses primarily in weightlifting under the Olympic style. There are different routines that you can do when you are planning to try this form of training. Mostly, the exercises are able to exercise most of your body parts. Because of the holistic approach of this training, it would be easier for you to achieve the body that you have always wanted to have. If you do undergo this form of training, it is important for you to know some of the CrossFit exercises that you might do in the future.
Cindy Routine is one of the CrossFit exercises that can tone your body. Basically, this is a form of full body exercise and strategy, which include pushups as well as body weight squats. Cindy Routine comes with a time frame of about 20 minutes. This should be performed the next day, and the athlete should make sure that progress is there. Though this routine can be performed very quickly, this is one of the best fat burning routines under CrossFit exercises. In addition to that, Cindy Routine is also designed in order to add extra mass of muscles in your chest and in your shoulders. Thus, this gives you weight loss and body sculpturing effects.
Filthy 50 is also considered as one of the best CrossFit exercises. Unlike the first one, this is a very demanding and rigorous kind of workout. This requires you to do 50 repetitions of 10 varieties of exercises such as double unders, burpee, ball shots, back extension, push press, lifts, lunge steps, kettleball swings, pull-ups and box jumps. Even if this kind of routine is highly demanding, it will still offer your body with the fastest means to lose weight and to burn extra calories even in one session only. That is why weight loss is definitely one of the benefits of CrossFit training particularly in performing this routine.
Cross fit training is also composed of the exercise called Thrusters and Pull Ups. This is also a workout that should be done in a repetitive manner. You can begin the routine by performing as many push-ups and thrusters as you can. Once you feel that you are already exhausted and you have already done all the maximum repetitions, you can slow down. This is an exercise that is efficient in burning the calories and excess fats present in your stomach area.
L-sit is also included in the CrossFit exercises that you can perform in the future. Because of the nature of this exercise, it is best for your stomach and for your abs. Usually, you can lose portion of your excess fat in stomach in performing this routine. Under this exercise, your body is being supported by your arms while your legs are straight on your front.
Double Under is also another addition to your CrossFit exercises. This is basically a form of jump rope exercise that will increase the rush of your adrenaline. This is being performed by simply jumping over the rope, ensuring that the rope will pass two times before you land on the floor. This routine will require you to have increased work capacity. In turn, this will enhance the calorie burning effects of the exercise. Thus, this will give you the chance to lose weight easily.
Dead Lift Plus Run is also another component of CrossFit training. The combination of running and dead lift makes this routine considered as a potent one. This will definitely provide you the chance to lose a great percentage of tummy fat. Thus, this will help you lose weight in a very efficient way. Under this workout, you need to perform repetitions of dead lifts and you have to run for about 1.5 miles. This is being done in repetitions until you have already manifested some progress.
Dip is also among the best CrossFit exercises. This is a kind of exercise that will enhance the group of muscles in your body, not just one specific muscle. Like for example, ring dip routine will provide you additional balance and strength and at the same time, manage the stabilization of rings on the sides of your body. Therefore, expect that this will also immediately lose excess fat in your body.
If you are planning to undergo CrossFit training in the future, these are some of the exercises that you can perform. Every exercise mentioned will provide you great benefits. That is why it would be easy for you to achieve the body that you have always wanted to have. Once you experience the effects of the routines mentioned, you will surely tell yourself that this is way better than other programs from fitness institutions.
These insane crossfit workouts are gathered from around the world and designed by experts and enthusiasts alike. Some you will like, others you will hate and a few will absolutely blow you away. Take take when performing these and as always stick to proper technique.3 Rounds for time: 10 Handstand push ups, 200 m run
Handstand 1 minute, hold bottom of the squat for 1 minute, 5 rounds.
6 Rounds for time: 10 push ups, 10 air squats and 10 sit ups
Run 1 mile, plus 50 squats-for time.
10 rounds for time: 10 push-ups, 10 squats, 10 sit ups
50 air squats, 4 rounds. rest for 2 minutes between rounds.
10 rounds for time: 10 push-ups, 100m dash
sprint 50 meters, 10 push ups. 10 rounds
5 rounds for time: 10 push-ups, 10 hollow rocks, run 200 meters
Handstand 10 seconds jack-knife to vertical jump. 25 reps…
10 rounds for time: 10 sit ups, 10 burpees
4 Rounds for time: 10 vertical jumps, 10 push ups, 10 sit ups
5 Rounds for time: 10 vertical jumps, run 400 meters
Sprint 200m and do 25 push ups, 3 rounds.
10 sets of 100 m dash (rest is length of time it took you to complete the last 100 m sprint)
100 air squats, rest 3 minutes, 100 air squats, rest 3 minutes, 100 air squats
5 Rounds: 30 second handstand against a wall, followed by a 30 second static hold at the bottom of the squat
“Susan” – 5 rounds for time: Run 200m, then 10 squats, 10 push ups
10 to 1 ladder: sit-ups/pushups and a 100 meter sprint between each set.
10 sets of: 30 second handstand hold followed by holding for 30 seconds at bottom of squat
10 x 50 meter sprint (rest is 2 minutes between sprints)
3 Rounds for time: 20 jumping jacks, 20 burpies, 20 air squats
4 Rounds for time: 20 ab mat sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 400 meter run
run 400m air squat 30 hand stand 30 seconds 3 rounds for time
3 Rounds for time: Run 1/2 mile, then 50 air squats
5 Rounds: 3 vertical jumps, 3 squats, 3 long jumps (rest as needed)
10 to 1 ladder: Burpees and Sit ups
10 Rounds for time: 10 burpees, 100 m sprint
For time: 100 jumping jacks, 75 air squats, 50 push ups, 25 burpies
5 rounds: 30 second handstand, 60 second squat hold ( at the bottom of the squat)
3 x 20 tuck jumps, followed by 3 x 30 second handstand holds
3 rounds for time: 400m run/sprint followed by 30 air squats
4 sets x 25 jumping squats
3 rounds for form/technique: 5 handstand to jackknife to high jump, 5 handstand to jackknife to tuck jump, 5 handstand to jackknife to split jump
10 rounds for time: 10 walking lunges, 10 push-ups
3 Rounds: 30 push ups, 30 second handstand
Run 1 mile and at every 1 minute complete 10 air squats, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups
20 rounds: 5 push ups, 5 squats, 5 sit ups
10 Rounds: 5 push ups with a 30 second plebs plank (a hold at the top of the push up, arms extended and body tight like a plank!).
5 Rounds: 200 m dash (rest is the length of time it took you to complete the previous 200m dash)
50 air squats x 5. Rest equal amounts as it took to do each 50.
50 sit-ups, 400 meter run or sprint or walk. 3 rounds.
5 x 400M sprints (rest is the same time it took you to complete the last 400m sprint)
7 rounds for time: 7 squats, 7 burpies
Air squat x 10 push up x 10 sit up x 10 3 rounds for time
Air squats x20, Burpies x20, Push-Ups x 20 – 3 rounds…for time bottom to bottom (rest at the bottom of the squat instead of standing….without support on your hands or butt and make the bottom good, straight back, butt back)
Do one air squat and take one breath, ( you can breath all you want while you do the squat or squats) do 2 and take 2 breaths etc…up to 10, and then come back down to one.
Run 1 mile with 100 air squats at midpoint, for time
Handstand 5x 30 seconds. Run: 2x 800 meters for time. Do the handstands first. Rest and recover and do the runs with a rest in between that is as long as it took you to run your first 800.
Invisible Fran…21-15-9 of air squats and push ups for time.
Handstand to Jack-Knife to vertical jump. 30 Reps.
Run 1 mile and do 10 push-ups every 1 minute.
Run with high knees for 15 seconds and drop into a pushup, get back up and run with high knees again for 15 seconds…….repeat 5x. Each pushup counts as 1 rep. Rest. Do 3 more rounds.
Perhaps you would like to develop your muscles for your health, or maybe you just would like to feel good – there’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever your reason, there’s a correct method and an incorrect method to go about it. The reality is, any sort of mass building program is advantageous to your heart as well as to your muscles. But if you are attempting to develop your muscles, there are specific muscle building exercises that are designed specifically to help you.
In order to increase the size of muscle, the muscle must be stimulated. One method of supplying the stimulation your muscles require is to exercise so your muscles will grow in size.A musclebuilding tip that’s assisted many to reach their goal is to start training with free weights. Strength and resistance exercise can also assist by motivating your muscles to develop.
A workout routine of lifting weights mixed with strength training exercises will start to step by step bulk up your muscles. Muscle building workouts performed regularly won’t solely develop muscle mass but will add to your general health. If you’re a novice, you’ll need to begin out with lighter free weights and slowly step-up the amount of weight you lift and the quantity of repetitions you do.
Free weight training along with strength and resistance training will step by step assist your body develop muscle. You will be able to utilise this musclebuilding tip to your advantage. Building up muscle is a gradual procedure, but persistence is the keyword to success. Anybody who’s worked through the process of building up their muscles will confirm that they’ve been disheartened by the visible lack of progress, but in time they made and sustained their goal.
Mass building workouts along with strength training will further raise your probabilities of success in building muscle. Bench presses, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, and other exercises that target specified muscles are really effective in building up muscle. It is crucial that you rest in between musclebuilding workouts to permit your muscles time to recuperate.
Whether you’re a novice or a professional, one frequent occurrence when doing musclebuilding routines is the possibility of muscle cramps. A muscle cramp happens when a voluntary muscle bunches up and tightens up. Muscle cramps may happen for numerous reasons or no reason at all, with the outcome being a stinging muscle contraction, or muscle cramp. Muscle cramps may occasionally be remedied by resting the muscle, massaging it or by moving around. The best method to avoid these agonising spasms is to do suitable warm-up exercises, and allow your muscles rest in between workouts.
If you would like to be successful in your endeavours to build muscle mass, it’s crucial to follow these and other musclebuilding tips when you start your musclebuilding routine.