3 Reasons Your Workout May Not Be Working
May 14, 2013
The months between January and June are the most common times for people to hit the gym and get fit. Whether it’s part of a resolution for the new year, or the desire to look good in a swimsuit, you are probably hitting the pavement or gym more than before. Go you! So why are you not seeing the results you desire? These three reasons could hold the key to unlocking your weight loss and getting even more fit.
Ditch the Snack Attack
You trained hard today. You worked up quite an appetite. You can totally eat that piece of pie or cupcake … or maybe not.
Consider this: the average restaurant dessert is 1,200 calories+ while a 45-minute run (for a woman of 140 pounds at a 10-minute pace) burns about 476 calories. That’s not enough. There’s another problem too. If you’ve working out at the same pace for months your body has become accustomed to it and is no longer burning as many calories.
Try adding heavier weights to your work out and eat leaner snacks. Fuel up with foods like nuts, berries, yogurt and string cheese post-workout instead of a protein bar and smoothie. Keep a food journal to help you over the hump. You are probably snacking more than you realize, or making more unhealthy decisions than you originally thought. A quick fix is to find the appropriate number of calories your body needs based on your weight and height and plan your workouts and food intake accordingly.
Sweat – Don’t Glisten
You can run all you want but if you don’t change up your routine your body won’t change either. What once worked in the beginning of your fitness plan now has you at a plateau. If it has been a few weeks or months since you last saw results it is time to change your workout by going to a different class or adding heavier weights. If you are only doing cardio then add weight training to your routine. The difference will show quickly and have you building lean muscle while burning fat. Add a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to your fitness program. Twenty minutes twice a week will make you sweat and burn fat fast. There are plenty of quick sessions located online on channels like BeFit on YouTube.
Get a Plan
Planning is the key to seeing maximum results in any aspect of life. Formulate a fitness schedule on your own, with the help of a friend or a personal trainer. Take into account your current lifestyle, along with the changes you want to see in your fitness and body. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try new types of workouts or classes. Find a buddy to help be accountable and stick to the plan. If you miss a day don’t beat yourself up. Instead remember how important your body and health are in the big picture that is life and get back into the game again tomorrow.
