Lose Weight & Get Fit By Having Fun!

All work and no play make jack a dull boy, and that is true of working out.  You have made the choice to follow a healthier life style, you want to follow a Fitness Plan to lose weight & get fit, you’ve  shown the determination to get out there and train, and maybe you’re just starting to see some results.  Calories taken in, calories burned, resistance exercises and fat burning zones may all be a regular part of your vocabulary now, but I think that the 2 most important words in any exercise or fitness program are “rest” and “fun”.

This might go against the instincts of people who are determined to get fit, lose weight, or both.  I admire the determination of the people I train to make that change and they are full of the “no pain, no gain” spirit.  And that’s great, if it can be channeled in the right direction, but “no pain, no gain” will only take you so far.  Yes, most of us want fast results, and those are achievable.  But more than that, we want results that will last, and keep coming.  We want a lifestyle that is fun and healthy, that will leave us feeling invigorated and full of energy for whatever life throws at us.  The key elements in a program that will achieve those things are rest and fun (sometimes at the same time!).

Let me explain.  The pattern with new trainers can sometimes be quite similar.  You know the routine: get a gym membership to tackle that New Year’s resolution, and by March the membership card is gathering dust on the hall table; or you create your ideal home gym and by April your exercise bike is covered in drying washing, al of which serves as a reminder of your lack of will power.  But that’s not the case!  The will power was there to begin with, you just have to make sure that you nurture it so that stays with you.  When you make the decision to get fit, lose weight, or whatever it might be, avoid the temwill poweptation to go out and get a gym membership, or join on the latest cardio funk boxercise spinning class down the road.  Those things might come later, but before you commit your time and money, and valuable will power to these activities, first, simply ask yourself what exercise you enjoy, or what you think you might enjoy.  That might be football, or skipping or swimming, or even just walking or running.  You might want to try dancing, or maybe you have always fancied yourself as a tennis player.

Put Some Fun Into Your Exercise!

Put Some Fun Into Your Exercise!

Whatever it is, incorporate it into your program, because the truth is, a program which contains activities you enjoy, is far more likely to last.  For the best results, most of us need to supplement these kinds of activities with other types of exercise such as resistance training, but if you have a sport or activity you enjoy to look forward to, it can serve as a powerful incentive to do well in the rest of your training and diet.

And, rest.  The principle is similar.  You can get a rush of determination at the beginning of a program, and that is great, but be careful you don’t burn out.  Rest is critical if your muscles are to recover and grow in between exercise.  If you are doing high intensity interval workouts, you will also be burning fat while you rest.

Make sure you get enough sleep.  If you feel you must exercise, take part in a little active recovery: try some yoga, have a gentle swim, or an easy spin on your bike, but remember, this is active recovery.  The idea is to help your muscles recover by giving them additional oxygen and circulation to help flush out the toxins produced by muscular effort.  Keep the exercise light and take the opportunity to have some fun, and you will be refreshed and ready when your next workout comes around.

Resistance training, diet, nutrition, cardio.  They are all very important to an effective fitness and weight loss program.  But the cement that binds them is made of fun and recovery.  Pay attention to these details and your program will last.  Ignore them, and you will soon be dusting that gym membership card.