What you should know about fitness. I’ve been in the fitness industry, whether as an avid student, an instructor or a business owner for a really long time and over the years I’ve seen fads come and go over and over again. Now I’m living in a city that seems to be playing catch up to some of the concepts that I remember first learning about years ago. As an observer, it’s a very interesting place to be in. In addition to this, my head sometimes spins as I scroll through my various social media feeds. While there are new discoveries that happen all the time in the world of fitness a lot of the basics still apply and aren’t going anywhere.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FITNESS

Don’t overthink your workout. If you aren’t used to working out or haven’t in a long time, you can pretty much just start moving and you will start seeing results. It’s best to start easy but consistency is the key. You’ll find over time that you want to start exploring tougher workouts or activities that you enjoy doing.

You actually need to pay attention to your workout. I always smirk a little when I hear the words mind body connection, but there’s something to be said for it. If you are only half present in your workout then you can expect to only get half the results. By focusing on the muscles you are working out (and yes that includes cardio) you will see your progress soar. You will find that your form is “more on” and that you are able to push yourself further and harder.

To get better you have to work harder. Doing the same workout over and over again without increasing the difficulty will get you nowhere in the end. Sure, it’s better than doing nothing, but if you want to improve then you need to work at it. Simple as that.

Don’t eat like everyone else. Just like with fitness routines, a diet has to be tailored to you. Sure, there are basics we all need to follow (like drinking lots of water) but the fine details are specific to every individual’s needs. In fact, you can expect your dietary needs to change over time. I used to have one way of eating, then I developed a thyroid condition and now it has completely changed. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else. While it’s tempting to jump on the latest nutrition fad bandwagon, figure out what works for you. The one constant would be to stay away from over processed foods and stick to as natural a diet as you possibly can.

Understand how to read your scale. Your weight fluctuates daily and monthly and there are many factors that can be involved. What you eat, how much you’ve eaten, how much water you’ve had or lost due to a workout. All of this will make the numbers go up or down. It’s best to understand that a scale tracks your progress over time and not day to day. For more read: Why You Shouldn’t Weigh Yourself.

Don’t give in to genetics. While it’s tempting to throw your arms up in despair and just blame everything on genetics, don’t. They might certainly make you predisposed to a condition, remember that very little is set in stone. How you deal with your predisposition or condition is still in your hands. You are the master of your destiny and you have a huge impact on how your body ultimately functions.

Read: Frequently Asked Fitness Questions & Fitness Myths Debunked for more healthy tips.

Do you have any health & fitness questions or tips?

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