Do you remember that scene in last years movie
'Hercules' where he is chained and breaks free while screaming
"I aaaam Hercules!"? He is Hercules, the man with the extraordinary
power, the man with the legendary name. When I say Hercules, the ones who know
the story will think of power. I am, not Hercules of course, but one of what I
call, self-motivational speakers. When I hit the gym to do strength training,
in my mind I become one of these legendary figures that I associate with power.
While lifting weights my mind goes "I am Herculesss", and the weights
go up in the air like they are feathers. That is wishful thinking, but it makes
exercising a whole lot easier because I believe in their power, and therefore
in mine. Motivate that mind and your body will do the rest. As a gym junky by heart I have done all the
don'ts before I discovered the do's. I
am by no means a fitness expert, but I love to give you tips that worked for
me. So let's get started with some of my basics.
1. Confucius once said: “Choose a job you love and you will
never have to work a day in your life." That counts for everything you do.
A workout will feel less of an effort if you enjoy doing it. If you are an
outdoorsy type, don't spend hours on a treadmill or elliptical indoors. If you
like swimming, don't go running because you have to.
2. If you are adventurous, do step out of your comfort zone
and try things you have never done before. You haven't failed until you quit
trying.
3. Rome wasn't built in a day. Start slow, be patient and
manage you expectations. Results will come just make sure you have got the basics
right. Set a realistic goal and always keep that end result in mind, even when
things don't go the way you want to. Think about where you want to be and do
it. Procrastination won't give you that lean body you are hoping for. Better be
sore than sorry.
4. Get informed. Being the next hit on Youtube in a video
called "sports bloopers" or "the guy/girl and the flying dumbbells"
might not be the fame you are aiming for.
5. Dumbbells are your new best friends. If you want a result
that lasts you need to combine cardio with strength training so you can build lean
muscle mass, which elevates your metabolism and burns more fat, even when you
are not working out.
6. Ass to the grass. Target your largest muscles if you want
to boost your metabolism by doing squats, deadlifts and lunges.
7. Team up. To get the best out of yourself team up with the
"gym" expendables. The best of the best is your new daily crew. The
Usain Bolt of your gym will make you run faster, and the Ronnie Coleman of your
gym will make you lift weights like you never did before.
8. Dare to do different! For the best results change your
workout routine frequently, preferably every 4-6 weeks. If you lack inspiration
there is a lot of information and schedules that you can find online. Join
Facebook groups such as Womens/mens health, FitnessRX for women. Most fitness gurus have websites, Instagram or
Facebook where you can follow them and get the tips you need. I personally
combine weight training sessions with kettle bell training, the TRX or the Tabata
app that I have downloaded on my phone.
9. Go and get TABATAnized! I am very impressed by the
results of this high intensity interval training that consists of eight rounds
of ultra-high intensity (bodyweight) exercises in a 20 seconds on, 10 seconds
off interval. The duration of one Tabata circuit is four minutes and the exercise
options are endless. Mountain climbers, jump lunges, push-ups, you are like a kid in a candy store, just mix and match!
10. Abs are made in the kitchen. Your car does not run without fuel, so make
sure you put high quality gas in that tank. I have the 90%-10% principle, which
means I eat 90% clean and give myself a break the other 10%. Balance between
the right carbs, protein and healthy fat will get you lean.
Be happy,
~Ilona~
