By: Sue McQueen
Design a routine workout that works best for you. It should combine cardio and weights. If you are trying to lose weight, you will need more cardio to burn fat. I would recommend your routine consist of 5 days of cardio and 2 or 3 days of weights. You may not be able to start out at this pace, but you can work up to this as you improve.
You should plan to change your routine every six weeks or so. This will keep the body from becoming used to the same routine. If you do the same workout all the time, the body will build up a tolerance and you will not get as much benefit. When you change your routine workout, you shock your body and it has to work harder to perform the different moves. You can change your routine workout in a variety of ways - increase the intensity, amount of weights, repetitions, length of time, workout days, workout time, equipment, type of workout or a combination. Changing your routine workout often will also keep you from getting bored.
For example, if you have been working out on the treadmill, you could increase your speed or the incline, or both. You could also add intervals doing high intensity for a short period and then recovery at a lower intensity. Another choice would be to take a spin class instead of using the treadmill. If you are lifting weights, increase the amount of weight or increase the number of sets and repetitions. Another change could be to use free weights if you have been using weight machines or do a different exercise to target the muscle group you are working.
Many people write down their routine workout, especially when lifting weights. This way they have a record of the amount of weight and repetitions. This makes it easy when it is time to change your routine workout and you will also see how much you improved by tracking the amount of weight and repetitions.
Always have a good mix of cardio and weights. Start at your pace and gradually increase as you are able. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. We have all heard the old saying “no pain, no gain.” It is true. If you want to change your body, you have to work at it. Just showing up at the gym will not do a thing for you.
Where you work out is not as important as how often and how hard you work out. I prefer to go to the gym because that gives me more motivation and options and I will work out harder at the gym than I will at home. But you can still get a good workout at home. So do what works best for you. I would highly recommend working with a personal trainer for at least a couple of sessions. It is very important to learn the proper form and way to do the exercises in order to get the benefit and avoid injury.
One of the best exercises you can do is the squat. This will work all the muscles in your legs and your glutes. Another good exercise tip is to incorporate a stability ball into your workout. By balancing on the ball, you engage your core muscles, so you are targeting more areas with one exercise. Sit on the ball to do shoulder presses or bicep curls. Or lay on the ball instead of a bench to do chest presses. By doing abdominal exercises on the ball, like crunches, you will work your abs about 20% more. A good exercise tip for lifting weights is to work opposing muscle groups without resting between sets. For example, work the quadriceps and then immediately work the hamstrings without resting in between.
A very important exercise tip is to be sure to drink plenty of water during and after your workout. I also recommend having a protein shake after your workout, especially if you lifted weights. This will aid in the recovery process and help build lean muscle mass.
