When you commit to working out regularly, you may jump in headfirst in your excitement. You could envision yourself going every day without fail even before you start. Although you may feel ready to run on the treadmill or lift weights, taking the time to plan for these exercise sessions can help prevent bad moods and physical pain.
1. Pack the Right Food
After an intense workout, the last thing you want is to not have enough to eat or drink. By planning out your snacks and drinks ahead of time, you can make sure you are not going to get upset in the stomach or feel weak. Some people may grab their favorite foods without realizing that they may not crave that particular food after an intense exercise session.
Whether you want to have water and a vegan protein bar or some other kind of food, picking something that travels well is key. Trying to keep food cold or hot will likely result in a spoiled or lukewarm pick-me-up treat when you finish exercising.
2. Take the Time to Schedule Ahead
Having a vague plan for exercising can feel fine at first, but it is likely not enough to make you stick to your exercise commitment for more than a few weeks. Writing down and purposefully scheduling time out of your daily life to work out can help you remember to stay consistent.
According to Psychology Today, regular exercise can reduce the amount of mental stress you feel, potentially improve your feelings of self-worth, and increase your quality of sleep. By making exercise a part of your schedule, you can improve other areas of your life as well.
3. Listen to Your Body
While you may want to increase the intensity of your workout right away, warming up can save you from serious injuries. By stretching and listening to what your body is telling you, you can determine whether or not you should continue doing a certain exercise. Increasing your heart rate at the appropriate rate for a workout also can reduce harmful strain on your heart.
You may need to skip some workouts if you feel overly fatigued or notice pain in your legs, arms, or other areas before starting. Depending on what exercises or kind of weight lifting you are trying to complete, you may want another skilled expert there to help guide you.
4. Think About Bringing Music and Friends Along
When you are trying to walk on the treadmill for a long period of time, you may find that you do not last as long as you want to before getting bored and leaving. By adding in some kind of fun distraction, such as pop music or your favorite podcast, you may find that you enjoy your workouts more. You can even pick out songs to listen to just for working out so that it motivates you to stay on your schedule.
If you notice this frustration creeping into your workouts, you can also ask your friends or loved ones to join you. With the added company, you may find that you lose track of time and end up completing your workout without feeling bored.
5. Find a Place to Write Down Your Progress
After a few months of working out, you may begin to lose track of all the skills you learned and improvements you made to your health. Although you still enjoy exercising, you could start to wonder how far you progressed.
In order to stay motivated, you should keep a written log of the progress you made. This could include how long you ran, how much you can swim at one time, or even how much you can lift.
Preparing for Workouts Can Lead to Success
No matter where you are on your workout journey, staying prepared and getting any equipment you need can help you stay strong. When you feel your initial inspiration start to fail you, relying on these tips and ideas can give you the energy you require to stay healthy and complete your workouts.
With the current situation of staying at home, it can be a challenge to find ways to motivate yourself to stay healthy and active. Working out is a great way to stay fit and healthy while at home, but it’s important to have a plan when it comes to exercise. Here are five tips to help you prepare for your workouts and make sure they are as effective and enjoyable as possible.
1. Create an Exercise Plan: Setting specific goals in advance and having a plan of attack is the best way to ensure you make the most of your workouts. Have a plan for what type of exercise you want to do, and if possible, adjust your workouts to match your needs – whether it’s to improve your cardiovascular fitness, tone your muscles, or even just give yourself mental relaxation.
2. Get the Right Attire: Being comfortable when exercising is paramount for success. Make sure you have the right clothing and footwear for the type of exercise you will be doing to ensure you can move around freely and stay comfortable.
3. Prepare the Right Supplements: Depending on the type of workouts you do and your desired goals, you may need to include supplements in your routine. Whether it’s protein powder or pre-workout drinks, you should make sure you have the right supplements to maximize your efforts while staying safe and healthy.
4. Warm Up and Cool Down: Before and after exercise it’s important to warm up and cool down. Make sure you include stretching exercises before your workout to activate your muscles and increase blood flow, and a series of static and dynamic stretches after your workout to improve flexibility and reduce soreness.
5. Prepare Yourself Mentally: You may find that even with the best plan and the right attire, it can be difficult to stay motivated while exercising at home. Having a positive mental attitude can make all the difference – write a few motivational phrases on a post-it and stick them around your workout area, listen to some energetic music, read up on the benefits of exercise, or even just start small by just completing 5 minutes of exercise at a time – anything that helps you stay positive and motivated.
By following these five steps, you will be well prepared for your workouts and ensure that you get the most benefit from your exercise. Have fun and stay healthy!