Month: December 2019

When should you change your current workout? Is there a set amount of weeks or months before change is required? There are many who never change their workout and still accomplish great results? Does it mean you should be more patient with your routine? There are signs that will clue you in to when you should make some changes to the current workout. One of the primary clues you should pay attention to involves the type of progress you have made toward your fitness goal.

If you have been working out for a while and you have reached a point where you are not seeing progress, it might be time to give up on that cool workout you’ve been performing. This type of hint will always show up when the current plan needs to be modified. You have heard the saying “insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result”. This applies in fitness as well. While you should be patient in reaching your fitness goals, you should see some progress over a period of time. If you have worked out for three months and have lost 15 lbs, that is some progress. However, if you have been on the same program for six months and there has been no progress for three consecutive months, you should probably create a new workout to get a different result. Use this tip as only a guide. There are many other factors but this should point you in the right direction when deciding if you really should change your current workout plan.

Why recruit a workout partner? How effective is it? What should you look for in that partner? For those who have worked out year after year and reached results without a workout partner, this post is definitely not for you. Like many in the U.S., I struggle with keeping my workouts going without the help and motivation of a another. What has helped me the most has been having another person holding me accountable in my fitness goals.

I have worked out on and off for about 20 years. My best results have come with having another individual join me in my journey toward better health. Is it impossible to go through a year of consistent working out alone? No. But it has been easier for me to be consistent when someone is relying on me to be at the workout. Naturally, I dont want to let anyone down. I might push harder for another rep or even another set if there is someone there spotting me or just rooting for me. I may drag myself to a workout on days when I really don’t feel like seeing the gym to not let my partner down. With a workout partner, I may go through series of workouts where the intensity level is very low. The main goal is simply completing a workout on those days. This, for me, is easier to do with the aid of another. Those of you who can do it solo, kudos for you. If you’re like me and you can accomplish more as a team, a workout partner will help you reach more of your fitness goals than attempting to do it alone.

Almost everyone who wants to lose weight would love for it to happen yesterday. Why not? Celebrities are able to drop weight quickly. Sometimes reaching their goals in a few weeks. What’s their secret? I want to help with that. I really do. The best way to lose 50lbs in 30 days? Just don’t!

Why not put the effort to lose that many pounds in a month? Here is a question for you to answer? Did it take you 30 days to gain those 50lbs you want to lose? Or did it take 2 years? Or 5 years? Or even 10 years? I’m not suggesting to take 10 years to reach a goal but the point I hope to make is that it takes time to gain a lot of weight and it typically takes time to get back to your ideal size as well. Don’t set yourself up for failure by aiming for a goal that isn’t healthy for most and is unrealistic. Here’s a more feasible goal. How about trying to diet and exercise for 12 consecutive months. See how much you can accomplish. See how you feel, move and fit in your clothes in addition to checking your weight. I’ve recently gotten back on track during the month of November. As I continue on my path to my ideal fitness, I would love to hear your stories and path of fitness/dieting as well.

Last month, I started working out again. The primary goal was to get a routine going. That was it! Nothing measured. The workout consisted of a light warm-up and a circuit training with 5 exercises. Only 2 sets. I was consistent the entire month and met the goal I set for November. I have now reevaluated where I am in my fitness level and have a new goal for December. Increase the intensity of the current workout.

One of the reasons why many don’t reach their fitness goals is due to not adjusting the workout program to accommodate an improved fitness level. The human body does adapt quickly. That intense workout you had a few months ago will not be as effective as your body may not find it challenging. As mentioned in my previous post, my initial month’s workout wasn’t challenging to begin with. Just 5 exercises completed in a circuit training fashion for two sets. To increase my fitness level, the end range for each exercise will now become my beginning range. For example, I was able to get 40-50 jumps during the jump rope section of the circuit training. December’s target will be a minimum of 50 jumps. This small change will be applied to all 5 exercises. This will make the workout much more challenging for me. I will try to stay committed with the goal of meeting the target for all five exercises during both sets by the end of the month. I will report out on my success (or failure) as I continue to post. In the meantime, please wish this 38-year old former personal trainer luck in staying committed.