After all the excess holiday weight gain, followed by the desire to lose a few extra pounds whether you have been to the gym or not; the largest question asked whenever it comes to weight loss or how to lose weight fast….has been should you do cardio training or weight training to maximize your results. The answer to this question is simple but what it involves is not so simple. Do both to maximize weight loss but maintain a healthy lifestyle to reap the benefits.
The number one fall out to any weight loss plan is sticking to your diet. A good weight loss plan will have you doing a mixture of cardio exercises and weight training. A great program will have you sticking to a strict diet while performing a mixture of those exercises. All too often will people spend tireless months in the gym and then give up because they are not seeing the results they wanted. The top 3 reasons why people fail:
• NOT Leading A Healthy Lifestyle
The whole idea behind losing weight for most people is getting ready for swimsuit weather or trying to impress others. The main reason should be–to be a more healthy YOU. The rest will follow. Whenever you enter into a serious workout and fitness plan you have to lead a healthy lifestyle. Old habits die hard and they will cripple your weight loss and you may not see quick results. Eat right, sleep right, and give your body all the nutrients it needs paying attention to your veggies and or supplements to aid in your progress, or both. Once you start living a healthy lifestyle you will not only see your motivation skyrocket, but also your energy. Watching your calorie count is one thing, but giving your body what it needs will prepare you for the workout ahead. We are not telling you to starve yourself, just substitute your daily lunch hamburger for a spinach salad, it grows on you.
• NOT Diversifying Your Workout Routine
People get bored; it is a fact. Being stuck in the same workout routing will not only bore you but it will decrease your motivation leading you to missing the gym and even possibly stop going.
It is also not as effective if you do not diversify your workout routine for muscle confusion. Muscle confusion is a term used to describe the process of leaving your muscles to wonder what workout is coming next. Sounds like a silly idea; but using different workouts will prevent your muscles from becoming “used” to them and will not only cause you to gain more muscle mass and tone; but will also increase the amount of calories burned while giving you new exercises to try out. Diversifying your workout routine and weight loss plan also contributes to you formulating your very own personalized workout plan that will benefit you the best, the workouts you are most comfortable with that hit your muscles just right while burning fat.
• NOT Staying Motivated
The two previous points all lead into one of the most prominent ways you fail at reaching your fitness goals. You have to stay motivated. In one of my favorite cardio and weight training articles I read “You didn’t gain the weight overnight, you won’t lose it overnight.” Staying motivated for the months to come is vital. You will see changes in your body within a month if you do this right, but for long term goals you have to be persistent and not complacent. Leading a healthy lifestyle and diversifying your workout contribute to this greatly, but staying in the game is ultimately up to you. Whether it takes being active in weight loss forums, cardio training forums, or weight training forums; they all have support groups for you to post fitness updates, and view members updates that will keep you motivated. You can also always resort to staring at celebrities with the body type you want, and understand you can achieve that fitness if you are determined enough.
With all the possible workouts between weight loss programs; both should include cardio training and weight training. All should include you leading a healthy lifestyle, staying motivated, and sticking to your workout routine. Always remember to get the sleep you need as well; energy doesn’t come about magically, and ample sleep will help you hop into the gym the next day at your best. Persistence is key with all aspects of life, and whenever it comes to weight loss programs and training you have to persist to reach your desired body weight, and once you get to your desired level of “fit” keep it up, and always remember what you are possible of with dedication and the proper routine. What do you like cardio or weight training?