It can become frustrating when you put so much effort and time into your workouts over a set period of time, still to see no visible results. Don’t be disheartened – there are many additional factors to consider when you’re keen to change your body. Of course, patience and continuity is key, but results can come sooner if you make a few small changes and switch up your routine. To help you out - we’ve compiled a list of our favourite ways to speed up your fitness venture…
We may be stating the obvious – but nothing is quite as important as your diet when you’re keen to see fitness results. You can do all the exercise in the world and work yourself 7 days a week, but if you’re not putting the right foods into your body, you simply won’t see positive changes.
- For weight loss
There are numerous opinions on what is best to eat for weight loss, with new diet tricks and crazes’ circulating the net 24/7 – but what’s most important is that processed foods are cut from your diet. In addition to processed – fast food, large amounts of sugar and unhealthy snacks should also be avoided. As long as you’re fuelling your body with the needed nutrients and energy for exercise, without consuming vast amounts of unhealthy foods, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t shed the pounds.
- For gaining muscle
If you’re at your optimum weight, but want to focus on toning and gaining muscle, you’ll need to fuel your body with plenty of protein, healthy fats and certain carbs to work alongside your exercise routine - to see the required results.
Although it’s tempting to workout 7 days a week when you want to see dramatic fitness results; don’t, this is actually the worst thing you could do for your body. The body needs time to rejuvenate – so whether you’re focusing on cardio, a particular sport, or weight lifting, take at least one rest day per week to allow your muscles to heal and recover.
Rest days allow your muscles, as well as nerves, bones and connective tissue, time to recover – which allows them to grow back stronger.
In addition to taking time to rest, you should avoid overtraining. Not only does overtraining burn off muscle, instead of growing it, but people more often than not over train themselves to the point of exhaustion or injury.
You’re going to see fitness results a lot sooner if your daily routine/job revolves around staying active and being on your feet all day – but this unfortunately isn't the case for people working at a desk. Being sedentary throughout the day, Monday – Friday, can cause hindrance to workout routines – by ensuring that you get up for a stretch of the legs every hour and taking a brisk walk at lunch, you’re promoting the positive body reshaping to take place. These small chunks of exercise that you’ll add to your day, as well as workout routines, are bound to get you the fitness results you desire at a much faster pace.
Even with very best diet and fitness routine, you won’t see results if your sleeping pattern is out of sync.
It’s proven that lack of rest makes you crave food – the majority of people think that hunger is related to willpower, but this isn’t correct; hunger is controlled by two hormones called leptin and ghrelin. You need to control leptin and ghrelin to successfully lose weight - sleep deprivation makes that nearly impossible.
There’s been speculation over the years as to how many hours sleep is the right amount – the truth is, different people need different amounts. There’s no set amount of hours you’re supposed to sleep for – listen to your body; if you’re tired, go to bed early. If your body is craving sleep – you’re bound to know about it!
When thinking about your fitness goals and results, health insurance is most probably the last thing on your mind. With this being said, you may be the healthiest and most active person, but you can never be too certain of what health implications are around the corner. By acquiring the right health insurance policy, you can feel more relaxed knowing that you’re covered – should any health implications arise.
Here at THIS, we can find you the right health insurance policy, for the right price – guaranteed! Contact our expert team on 0808 10 18 999, or simply fill in our online form to get a call back.
