We all have our very own idea of the ideal body. And not many of us will be there just quite yet! But don’t give up, though. Getting that ideal body isn’t as difficult as you may think. With a little hard work and dedication, you will eventually get there. The journey may be tough, but it will sure be worth it once you reach your goal! So how can you stay on the road to success without giving into temptation? Read on to discover the ten steps you need to take to get the body you’ve always wanted!
1. Get Plenty Of Protein
You need to eat wisely if you are ever going to lose weight. Your body needs protein, as this is the main building block it uses to grow and repair itself. So you need to ensure that you are eating enough protein every day. Plenty of fish and white meats are easy choices. If you are a vegetarian, you can still get your recommended daily intake of protein from lentils, pulses, and eggs. Snacking on high-protein sources can also help you through a long workout. Nuts and seeds are fantastic snacks that really deliver on the protein front. There are also a few carbohydrates that are rich in protein. Instead of eating pasta and bread, stick to quinoa and bulgar wheat.
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2. Don’t Forget Your Veggies
Ok, so you’re getting enough protein. But you also need to have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet as well. These will give your body all the important vitamins and minerals that it needs to function properly. They can help you stave off illness and disease so that you always feel fighting fit when you go to the gym. Aim to make at least 50% of each meal consist of produce. If possible, try and eat five different portions of fruit and veg a day to ensure that you are getting a wide range of different nutrients.
3. Drink Plenty Of Water
You’ll hopefully be drinking plenty of water throughout your workouts. But are you drinking enough H2O once you are back home or at work? Water isn’t just for workouts! Our bodies need a constant supply of it so it can function properly. It will keep you hydrated which is great for helping your body flush out any nasty toxins that may be lurking in your system. Not only that, though, but drinking plenty can prevent you from feeling hungry quite so often. So next time you feel like snacking, reach for your bottle of water instead!
4. Advance Your Workout
If you feel like you aren’t making much progress in the gym, it could be because your body is getting used to your workout. The best way to increase your sessions are to have more per week or to slightly lengthen each one. Your body can easily adapt, so you shouldn’t feel the extra intensity too much. However, just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean it won’t be making a difference. Increasing time training or adding an extra workout each week is extra calories you’ll be burning. And the more calories that you burn, the more weight you will lose.
5. Switch Up Your Routine
It’s not only the intensity of your workout that you should change. Changing the exercises that you do can also make a big difference. The ideal workout will be a mix of cardio, strength, balance and flexibility exercises. Of course, you don’t have to do them all in one session. For example, you could do a couple of spinning classes each week as well as a couple of runs or hours doing yoga. How you mix them is up to you! But you should change your routine every month or so. This ensures your body continues to be challenged with each workout. If you always use the machines at the gym, why not try out a class? And if you only ever go to the classes, you should try out some free weights or cables once in awhile. Invest in some home equipment if you’d rather work out at home. Many people who work out at home have an elliptical machine. Before you buy, check out the best ellipticals in the market to find the best price.
6. Don’t Forget To Stretch
Stretching increases overall flexibility and mobility. Failure to do so can increase your chances of sprains, strains and muscle tears.
7. Don’t Miss Your Rest Day
It can be all too easy to get carried away with fitness and want to spend each and every day at the working out. However, a day off is a great idea as rest is a necessity and a smart way to hit your reset button.
8. Train With A Friend
We’ve all had those days where we just don’t feel like hitting the gym. After all, motivation isn’t always easy to find. But there is one way you can motivate yourself into going to the gym. And that’s training with a friend! If you have a gym buddy, you can make sure that you both go to your usual training sessions. Neither of you will want to let the other one down, so you both have a good excuse to go to the gym. You can also motivate each other while you are training. Encourage each other to try and beat their personal best!
9. Look The Part
If you look the part, then you will certainly feel the part! Buying some new gym clothes can be a great boost to your confidence and determination to reach your fitness goals. Wearing the correct clothes can also be beneficial to your workout. Certain materials can help lift the sweat off your skin, so you don’t feel so itchy or irritated. And they can also help you move during each exercise and stretch.
10. Wear The Right Shoes
You need to ensure you have the right shoes too as these can greatly help of hinder your workout. Especially if you are a keen runner! If you do not have the right running shoes, you will be putting yourself at risk of developing shin splints. These occur when shoes are not supportive enough. The constant pressure on your shins as your feet hit the floor can cause significant strain to your legs. In the end, it can be very painful. To make sure you are wearing the correct type of running shoes, you can visit sports shops that will see if they fit ok. To do this, they will need to assess your stride while you run on a treadmill. If your shoes aren’t giving you enough support, you can buy a new pair there and then.
