I’m a huge fan of the Terminator movies and I find the concept of time travel absolutely fascinating. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go back to the past and advise their former selves on what mistakes to avoid and opportunities to take in order to make their future lives more fulfilling? Don’t buy that car! Do take that job! Don’t marry that person! Do go on that trip! You get the idea…
If given the opportunity, I would also have a quiet word with my past self about fitness and exercise, and how to make the most out of my time at the gym. Like many people, I made a lot of mistakes in my quest to get fit, lose weight, and build muscle. These mistakes cost me a lot of wasted time and effort. I eventually achieved my fitness goals, but it would have been nice to get there sooner!
While I can’t time travel to speak to my past self, I can share the things I wish I’d known before starting my fitness journey. This way, you can learn from my mistakes and avoid making the same errors yourself.
1. START TODAY! Humans are great at putting difficult things off until later. That’s why so many of us are still talking about getting fit and losing weight instead of taking action. Stop procrastinating and start today. Do some online research, visit a few gyms, and join one that you like. Don’t wait – just do it!
2. CONSISTENCY BEATS PERFECTION EVERY TIME. Don’t waste time looking for the perfect workout plan. Being consistent is more important than having the perfect plan. Focus on turning up and working reasonably hard. You don’t need to keep changing your program to find the perfect fitness solution – consistency wins every time.
3. FOCUS ON PROPER EXERCISE FORM BEFORE WEIGHT. So many exercisers get hung up on how much weight they’re lifting. Instead, focus on performing exercises correctly and stimulating your muscles to grow bigger and stronger. Don’t compare your performance to others and seek expert guidance if you’re unsure how to perform exercises.
4. DON’T FORGET YOUR WARM-UPS AND COOL-DOWNS. Make sure to warm up before exercising and cool down after. These extra steps can prevent injuries and muscle soreness, ultimately saving you time and frustration in the future.
5. AN IMPERFECT WORKOUT IS BETTER THAN NO WORKOUT. Sometimes plans go awry, and that’s okay. Modify your program if necessary and just keep going. Any workout is better than no workout.
6. HAVE A GOAL, BUT DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE THE WINS ON THE WAY. Have a goal and enjoy working toward it. Celebrate small wins to make the journey more enjoyable and easier to stick to.
7. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES. Effective progress takes time and patience. Don’t fall for quick fixes that promise unrealistic results. Slow and steady wins the race in fitness and fat loss.
8. NO ONE ELSE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING, EITHER! In the gym, no one else knows exactly what they’re doing either. Focus on your own journey and don’t compare yourself to others.
