Don’t get so stuck in your ways that you can’t make the changes you need to make.
It doesn’t matter how motivated you initially are when starting your fitness journey. Keeping up that enthusiasm is the challenge. Many people are great starters but poor finishers. They unintentionally sabotage themselves by falling into the same patterns they did before, depending on old programming and habits to survive.
If this sounds like a concern of yours, don’t worry because many people are in the same place as you. They want to be aware of the things they do to halt weight loss and prevent themselves from being the healthiest and fittest versions of themselves. By raising awareness of these issues, you and other people like you, can overcome setbacks and maintain the progress you worked so hard for in the gym.
What You’re Doing Wrong Without Even Knowing It
The following ten bad habits could impede your progress at the gym:
- Not being clear about what you want to achieve. A goal is a dream with a deadline. When you’re really clear about your goals, you have no reason but to work hard to achieve them. You can visualize the finish line and how it feels to be in a good place health-wise. You take action steps daily to make sure that you’re meeting your goals so you’ll eventually reach that target weight or level of physical fitness you decided was ideal for yourself.
- Failing to find a reliable accountability buddy. If the person that you chose to keep you on track flakes on you more than they actually show up at the gym, it’s time to rethink the role they’re playing in your fitness journey. You may love the person or consider them a really good friend. That doesn’t make them the right fit for an accountability buddy, though. Find someone who shows up and is as committed to your success as you are.
- By not hiring a personal trainer. The expense is well worth the investment especially if you’re first starting out at the gym or changing your routine altogether. Having someone who can show you how to exercise and the proper form and technique will save you from a serious injury. They’ll also offer knowledge and support that you won’t get elsewhere.
- Through the wrong types of exercises. You may have it all wrong which is further proof in the necessity of a personal trainer as you’re learning the ropes in the gym. Just because you exercise doesn’t mean that it’s bringing you closer to your fitness goals. It will help you burn calories but won’t necessarily help you lose fat or gain muscle. Learning which exercises are best for you is the first step in making real progress toward your goals.
- When you eat too much of the wrong thing. Some people are under the impression that just because they work out all the time that they can eat whatever they want and large quantities of it. That simply isn’t true. Some foods are higher in fat content and lower in nutritional value. You’re essentially reversing all the good you did in the gym by not monitoring your diet. Seeing a nutritionist can help you get back on track.
- Relying on your health too much now. If you’re living an active lifestyle but not considering its impact on your future health, it could be to your detriment. Sure, you’re enjoying all that you can while you’re alive. The fast lifestyle, however, could take its toll on you quicker than you imagined. Make self-care a priority by ensuring that you’re eating right, doing things that lift your spirits, and getting ample sleep. Too many late nights will make you age rapidly.
- Lifting wrong. If you don’t learn the right way to lift weights, you’ll injure yourself and spend more time recovering than you would by taking the time to learn more about the importance of form. Work with a personal trainer when you’re first starting to lift to prevent rips and tears to muscles. It’s one way to stay out of the hospital and in the gym where you belong.
- Not giving yourself time to recover. No matter how much you want to lose weight or build muscle, you’ve got to do it over time. You’re not going to see results overnight and even if you did, you’ll not be able to sustain them long-term. Giving yourself time to rest and recover is essential to good health. If you’re the type of person who feels it’s necessary to go to the gym daily, alternate exercises so that you can have a low-impact day or two each week.
- Depriving yourself of good nutrition. If you rely solely on protein shakes and bars, your body will be deprived of the nutrition it needs to thrive. Make sure that you eat a varied diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Again, a nutritionist can help you meet your goals in the gym faster by giving you a diet to follow that satisfies your unique needs.
- Being inconsistent with your workout routine. If you’re the type of person who makes excuses for not working out only to return to the gym daily for months at a time, you’ve got to come to peace with the fact that fitness is a lifestyle choice. If you don’t make it a priority, you won’t be able to fully benefit from it. It’s also far more important to make sure that you’re mentally in a place to exercise regularly and change your bad habits for the better.
The progress you’ve made at the gym thus far is commendable. Keep up the good work by identifying the ways that you’re unintentionally sabotaging yourself. That way, you can quickly work past these challenges and continue to diligently progress toward the goals you’ve set up for yourself. Your good health and overall wellness are among the greatest assets you possess.