Keeping Fit is A Daily Battle

Even the most dedicated fitness fanatics can dread a workout. There’s nothing wrong with taking a day off when you’re just not feeling it, but when a lack of motivation persists, it’s all too easy for those days off to build up into a block of sedentary time.

Staying motivated requires an understanding of purpose, so be your own coach and keep track of your fitness goals in a separate journal. Whether you’re hoping to run a marathon or trying to run a mile, the road to achieving your goals takes inner strength and drive. Once you have reached one of your goals, make self-motivation a habit by setting a new one to take its place.

There are online journals and can be used free! Try one in Global Health.

Here are some exercise tips you might find useful in the gym or elsewhere. I will be giving these short tips so it will be easier to read and remember.

1. Split Cardio.
Spread your cardio to double your gains. A University of New Hampshire study found splitting a 30 minute session into two halves led to a 29% rise in workout capacity. Reap the benefits by cycling to and from work.

2. Rest to Grow.
A Taiwanese study found that performing heavy bicep curls with sore muscles did not slow muscle recovery – as long as there had been at least a 48-hour rest period. So hit the gym four times a week, working the same muscles every other session.

3. NO Floor-gazing.
Looking down when you squat can cause an injury, say scientists at Miami University. Floor-gazing during the move causes your body to lean forward, increasing the strain on your lower back. Keep your head straight by looking at your image in a mirror.