It's never too late to start those new year's resolutions. There is never a wrong time to begin an exercise routine. Regardless of age, health, time restraints or any other excuse we can always seem to come up with, there are only positive results coming from exercise.
Whether you want to get to a competitive level or just look better naked, physical exercise is always an excellent idea. Setting a schedule and making it all part of your routine will help.
You need to look at diet and exercise equally for the best results. Setting up a regular routine for your bodybuilding workout is not only good for physical health but your mental health, as well. Here are a few things to consider before you start.
Personalize your Bodybuilding Workout
It's important to find something you actually enjoy. If you hate running, then running isn't for you. Sounds obvious, but if your sister or coworker started running and is looking terrific, don't start running expecting the same results. If you don't enjoy the activity, you will soon grow tire or even resentful of it and quit.
Fitness and Medical Test
Asking your doctor or starting an exercise routine on doctor recommendation is a good place to start. Be sure you are in the proper health before taking on something too strenuous. You want to improve without harming yourself.
Start with a medical exam to make sure everything is in working order. Then have a fitness test done, as well. This will tell you how your body responds to the exercise. It will also be helpful as a guide for what exercises and routines will be most beneficial.
Self-Assess
What is it you wish to achieve? It's important to have a goal in mind. This can be losing weight, gaining strength or muscles, getting stronger, improving breathing and respiratory functions, getting more limber or just getting mobile.
Maybe you just want to look and feel better. Obviously, different exercises will have different results, so if you have something specific in mind, start there. For building muscle, you need to find something to work the desired muscle group.
Find Exercise you Like
You might find lifting weights boring. You'll have to try out different exercises and machines to find what you like best. It will help you work harder when you have several routines you like.
It's also nice to do a few activities you may not enjoy. This will keep the overall balance and give you something to look forward to the next day.
Ask A Pro
Any reputable gym will give you a free try-out and allow you to test the equipment, attend a class for spinning or yoga, and the can also assess your fitness level, make suggestions on helping you achieve your goals and make it all so much easier.
Start Slow
Ease your way into any new exercise or physical activity. Just because you discovered a rowing machine and loved it, rowing for twenty minutes straight will make you awfully sore the next day.
Start with a pace and time limit you are comfortable with and slowly increase it over time. This also means, take it slow on expecting results. You rowed for twenty minutes and should have arms like The Rock, but you won't.
Diet Matters
You will want to cut out junk foods, sugars, and bad carbs. Lean proteins, like turkey and fish, cantaloupe and cottage cheese can all help. Slow burning carbs like beans and legumes, brown rice and pasta will give you endurance.
It doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. Moderation of the these than ideal foods will help your workouts. When you go to restaurants or are invited out for dinner, just try to make healthier choices, when possible.
Clothing
More than just looking good, you need to wear clothes that will not hinder your workout. Get the proper shoes, pants, and tops that won't interfere or continually need adjustments.
Certain fabrics will help to keep sweat from interfering, as well. When you are lifting weights or using equipment, you don't want to increase your chance of injury by sweating on the handles.
Mix It Up
Doing one exercise or activity, like weight lifting every other day has better results in the long run than doing it every day. It's nice to break it up. Do cardio or your spinning class one day, maybe yoga or swimming the next. Ths gives you an all-over workout and breaks the boredom that can occur.
It's important to work all the muscles groups to avoid bulking up in one area only. Including other activities will balance everything out and you will be healthier and fitter.
Activity like stretching or yoga help the muscles. Stretching allows oxygen in and keeps the muscles more limber and loose. You may like the way your arms look, all bulky, but it might be a tad too much when you can't even brush your own hair.
Take a Break
It's also important to take a rest day. This doesn't mean you get to drink beer and eat pizza, but you can. Just give your muscles a chance to relax and repair. It's easier to spot any injuries or spots that are overworked when they have a chance to rest.
Drop and Give me Ten
When you make the exercise a part of your routine it becomes less of a chore. It's just something that you do, like brushing your teeth. Your bodybuilding workout should be enjoyable, so you will be encouraged to keep at it.
Don't be discouraged. Just keep at it and you will see results. Everyone will be different, so mind your own results and routine and don't compare yourself to someone else.
If you live in a cold climate, here are some great clothes for those of you who embrace the winter air for working out.
It's important to love yourself first, have a positive body and self-image and then work from there. Happy Sweating.