Viewing "Failure" as a Necessary Part of Success
Whether you’ve been working toward your goals all year or you’re just getting started, it is important to remember that fitness goals are never attained over night. Â Instead of getting discouraged because you haven’t lost twenty pounds or haven’t been able to run a consecutive mile, set a smaller goal you can accomplish in the meantime. Â Before you can lose twenty pounds you’ve got to lose five. Â Likewise, before you are able to complete a mile you’ve got to execute a quarter mile.
Use small goals to encourage yourself to stay on track. Â When you’re developing timelines for your larger goals make sure they are realistic. Â If you don’t lose twenty pounds in twenty weeks or less don’t look at it as complete failure. Â Keep at it and the twenty pounds will come off. Â The key to success is consistency. Â Use your stumbling blocks as reason to keep going and you can achieve the impossible!
Eating In Rather Than Out
One way we can avoid eating junk and taking in too many calories is by choosing to cook more at home. If you find yourself eating out several times during the week try to substitute one or two of those days with a home cooked meal. Eating in may be a simple way to clean up your diet and save some money for the luxuries in life like in home personal training! 😉
Check out www.supercook.com for home cooked meal ideas. This website allows you to list the ingredients that you’ve got in your kitchen in return for free recipes that don’t require a trip to the store. It’s a nice and easy way to make a meal with what you’ve got and learn some new recipes in the meantime!
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Cutting Back on Sodium
8. Eat potassium to counter the sodium you do take in
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The Importance of Body Fat Percentage
Everybody talks about BMI, but the truth is, your body fat percentage is a better measurement of overall health. Keeping your body fat percentage between “athletic” and “healthy”, as shown in the chart above, should be at the forefront of your fitness goals. A good body fat percentage makes for less of a chance to develop problems such as high blood pressure and type two diabetes.
Whether male or female, the best way to lower your body fat percentage is by gaining muscle. A consistent strength training program that includes weight and resistance training is the best way to achieve a lower body fat percentage. Proper diet plays a role in body fat as well. Naturally, the less junk you eat, the better your chance at lowering your body fat percentage.
Focus on building some strength this month. Use free weights and body weight exercises to get stronger and build more muscle. If you are a member of a gym have your body fat percentage tested now and then again in 4-6 weeks. If you’ve made the proper changes in your workout routine and diet you should see your body fat drop between one and two percent. It may seem like a slow moving number, but you’ll love the way you look and feel six months from now if you can keep it up!