Even though some things simply take time, we often ignore that fact and want to do them as quickly as possible. One of them is improving our body and getting in shape. Becoming lean, healthy and strong cannot happen overnight, no matter how much you wish for it. On the other hand, there are some hacks that will help you achieve your goal faster. Follow these tips, be persistent and you will be on the right track towards becoming your new and improved self.
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Don’t ignore small opportunities
Going to the gym and exercising like a maniac is definitely not the only way to strengthen your body. Throughout the day you will encounter many opportunities to work those muscles, so do not ignore them. Whether you decide to take the stairs rather than use the elevator or ride your bicycle to work instead of driving there, you will be one step closer to achieving your goal. These simple, everyday activities can also help you become stronger and fit, so make sure to make the right choices every day.
Do not forget to rest
Working out helps you burn those calories and lose weight, which means resting is just a waste of time when you want to get fit, right? Unfortunately, many people believe that this is true, when in reality you need that recovery time or your muscles won’t be able to increase in size or strength. If you haven’t exercised in a while, three workouts per week are more than enough. In time you can gradually increase the number of those workout days, but still make sure to get at least two days of rest throughout the week.
Full-body exercises are more efficient
Maybe you have always dreamed of rock hard abs, but investing all of your time into an ab machine won’t be as useful as doing full-body exercises. If you want to build fitness much faster focus on those compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time. For example, swimming is an amazing full-body workout that will boost your health and help you get in shape. If you have a public pool in your area, consider investing in swimming shoes. After all, these places harbor bacterial growth, which can lead to various health issues. Therefore, find quality swimming shoes on walkjogrun.net and you will have one less worry on your mind.
Avoid smoking
If you are a smoker you probably know that this habit is threatening your health. However, apart from damaging your lungs, it also siphons off your energy by causing insomnia. Nicotine speeds the heart rate and raises your blood pressure, so falling asleep becomes a challenge. In addition, the addictive power of smoking can wake you up in the middle of the night, so you can rarely get a good night’s sleep. When you are constantly tired working out is probably the last thing on your mind, so it is easy to see how this habit can keep you away from your goal.
Be persistent
If you have a flabby belly and extra weight remember that you didn’t become that way overnight. In fact, it probably took years of bad decisions to create all those problems, so don’t for one second think they will go away in a heartbeat. If you want to make some real changes you will need to arm yourself with patience, be persistent and always keep your head in the game. Working out for a week and then quitting because your body hasn’t changed at all is not the right attitude. By being disciplined and sticking to your plan you can drastically shorten the time it takes to achieve your goals, but don’t expect any changes on the first day.
Natural sleep is important for your body
Every night when we go to sleep, our body uses that time to repair itself. When we sleep, growth hormone (HGH) is released and it stimulates cell repair and regeneration. However, this only occurs during a natural sleep, because drugs and sleeping pills can interfere with the repair process. If getting some ZZZs without taking the pills seems impossible to you, try some strategies that should help you fall asleep. You should remove your TV or your computer from your bedroom, get some blackout shades, lower the temperature in your room if it is too hot, and try reading, taking a bath or meditating before going to bed. Learn more at Rest Equation.
Follow a well-balanced diet
Even if you exercise like your life depends on it and follow all these tips, you won’t be able to see any results if you don’t pay attention to what you eat and how you eat. Center your diet around proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are your friends, while processed foods and sweets can only slow down your progress.
Hydrate!
When your muscles are well-hydrated they are more efficient and can recover more rapidly. Therefore, make sure you drink lots of water, and steer clear of soft drinks and coffee. In addition, limit your alcohol intake since it can lower your energy levels (not to mention that cocktails are full of empty calories).
Following these guidelines might be difficult at the beginning, but once you notice those first results you will see that all your hard work and dedication are really paying off.