The 7 Deadly Sins of Working Out
Working out can be incredibly hard work and very disappointing if you do not do it correctly. So avoid these 7 deadly sins of working out and enjoy a successful exercise routine and all the benefits that come with it.
Overloading Yourself With Exercises
When you begin to exercise or join the gym you may already have an idea of what you want to improve. You may want to lose those bingo wings or tone your tummy; but it can be all too easy to go in all guns blazing and power through your first workout leaving you feeling drained and exhausted. Your body needs up to 72 hours to go through its metabolic cycle and repair any muscle damage that occurs during exercise, so take it slow.
Not Warming Up
Warming up will give you a better range of motion and will lower your risk of injury during exercise. It is recommended that you warm up for 5 or 10 minutes before exercise, and this can be as simple as a brisk walk or light stretches. All of this helps to thin the synovial fluid which lubricates your joints.
Not Changing Up Your Routine
Variety is the spice of life, and variety in your exercise routine will help you to work out for longer and give you a better chance of success in the long term. As well as providing you with a more sustainable workout, varying your exercises will help to strengthen all your muscles and reduce your risk of injury.
Eating All the Wrong Foods
What you eat when you exercise, and even when you don’t, is vital to a healthy mind and body. Incorporating protein, fibre, good carbs and other important minerals and vitamins will improve your ability to work out and speed up your metabolism to aid weight loss. Online health food companies such as PFD sell quality food and healthy supplements that can work with your diet and exercise plan to improve your overall health and maintain a healthy weight.
Not Hydrating
Exercise boosts your metabolism and heats up your body which makes you sweat. To lower your core temperature and replace your lost fluids you must drink enough water to avoid the risk of dehydration and overheating. You should aim to drink 15 to 20oz of water 1 to 2 hours before you work out; 8 to 10oz about 15 minutes before you begin and 8oz every 15 minutes during your workout.
Being Unaware of What You Are Doing and Why
You need to know why you are doing the exercises you are and how they will benefit you. You also need to know the correct way to do your exercises to reduce the risk of injury and increase the effectiveness of them. If you are working out in a gym, ask your instructor for a meeting to make sure you are doing everything appropriately and you will be well on your way to success.
Skipping Your Warm Down
Cooling down after your work out is just as important as warming up before it. Cooling down effectively will help you to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles during exercise and will reduce your chance of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). So avoid these sins of working out and you will be able to enjoy your work out and the benefits of it.