14 DAY TRIAL // Here’s a situation in which many of us have probably found ourselves at one point or another: say you’re going to the gym on a regular basis, making sure you get plenty of exercise, and also keeping an eye on your daily calorie intake, but you’re still failing to see the results you were hoping for.
Unless you have a health problem (in which case you should see a specialist), you’re probably doing something wrong. Hitting the gym and/or limiting your food intake before a workout will not deliver results alone: you also have to pay attention to everything that goes into your body all the time.
One of the most common mistakes when working out is thinking of the workout as a chore that requires a reward afterwards. It’s normal to feel this way, experts say for Yahoo! Shine: after all, you’re there breaking a sweat and busting your backside. However, giving in to this craving every time you get home from the gym will inevitably translate into a waistline that obstinately refuses to shrink or become more toned.
If there’s a piece of cake or a sweet treat tempting you after the workout, try to fight back. If you really must have a reward, at least make sure it’s a healthier version, like fruit instead of sugary treats.
Another mistake to avoid after a workout is to recover with a sports drink. “Sugary sports drinks can replenish electrolytes, but if you've just finished a short workout, the extra calories are probably unnecessary. Save the sports drinks or coconut water for intense workouts lasting more than an hour or for workouts in hot weather,” the e-zine recommends.
Don’t forget to refuel with a snack of carbs and protein after a workout: you need to rebuild muscle and speed up your metabolism, so ditching a meal completely after the gym is perhaps the worst idea ever.
The same goes for skipping the stretching after a workout. A few minutes to cool down and stretch the muscles you’ve been working so hard are essential because they will prevent injuries – injuries that might keep you out of the gym for more days.
Speaking of things that keep you out of the gym, you can include here two other frequent mistakes: using your workout as an excuse for skipping other sessions (man, this particular workout was so hard, you’re just going to take the rest of the week off!), and not planning sessions ahead (you’re so busy you can’t plan right now, but you’ll surely squeeze in another session this week).
Useless to say, but a routine is just the thing you want for your workouts. It might suck for everything else, but it’s ideal for your fitness program.
So, now that you know the most common workout mistakes, you know what to do to get the maximum results from your routine. Stay healthy and fit!