Socializing
Perhaps one of the biggest goal-killers is our temptation to socialize during our workouts.
We’ve all been there; doing a set or some cardio when that old friend walks through the door and suddenly our priorities switch from workout to catch up. You may not stop working out immediately to go catchup, but chances are you may feel tempted to go get another water refill and make a few stops on the way there and back.
This shift in priorities can become one of the biggest workout killers, costing you precious time and energy.
If you feel compelled to catchup with an old friend, ask them if you can hit them up after your training session. By doing this, you won’t only avoid distracting yourself, but you’ll also save them from the same temptation.
No Rest Days
Recovery should be one of the most important aspects of your training. Exercise is critical to achieving a healthy life, body and mind, but so is balance. If you’re spending 7 days a week exercising, not only are you risking diminishing returns on your fitness progress, but you’re also undermining the workout regime that you have going.
Your recovery period is the crucial time in which your body finds the space and the time to repair itself, and where your muscles build rebuilds themselves. Aim for 2 – 3 days recovery during the week, in any way that suits you. A common regime is Monday – Friday, or Monday – Tuesday & Thursday – Friday.
Overtraining
Another big mistake made by rookies and pros alike is overworking. It’s recommended to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Anything over and above this recommendation is where your progress starts. Most workouts are designed to be finished after 60 – 90 minutes maximum. If your workouts are stretching beyond this time, there’s a good chance you’re overworking your muscles, leaving them fatigue and sore for extended periods of time. This can ultimately lead to hindered fitness progress, as you’ll need more time to recover and reap fewer rewards from your workout.
Try consistently aim for 60 minutes of exercise with rests in between exercises and sets.
Undertraining
Similarly to overtraining, undertraining can mean big, negative consequences for your results. On one hand, going all the way to the gym to train and not working out is a waste of time and won’t leave you feeling good. On the other hand, the lack of results from not taking full advantage of your workout time can result in a lack of motivation and ultimately hindering your ability to maintain a consistent flow of motivation and determination.
Try your best to keep disciplined with yourself when you enter the workout space, and take full advantage of your time there. Turn your social media off, leave your distractions at home and fully engage with your workout for just that small window of the day.
