DON’T OVERDO IT!

Working out is fantastic and a real must for anyone who is serious about their health. It is great to be enthusiastic about working out,

 but it is very important not to set yourself up to fail by overdoing it.

One of the main reasons people give up easily on their workouts is that they try to take on too much early on. Many people tend to want to achieve so much on the first workout that they fail to consider whether their body can already handle the challenge. This is why, instead of pushing yourself early on, it would be better to start slowly but surely, then build up from there.

When you go running for example, common sense will tell you not to start off with marathons if you’re a beginner. The same applies to all exercises – you gradually build up the number of reps, the intensity and the difficultly.

When starting any muscle program, it’s important that you keep your ego in check. Don’t just set goals that you aren’t physically capable of achieving just yet. Add weights as you go along, especially if you’ve never lifted a weight in your life.

It is also imperative that you take rest days, even though this may feel counter-intuitive at first. Rest days really are an absolutely essential part of any training regimen. While they may feel like a waste of time to you and make you worry that you won't build strength or lose weight fast enough, taking some regular time off will allow your body and mind to fully recover and grow.

Exercise takes its toll on the body and when you don't allow it to recover from high-intensity exercise, you do damage. Never taking a day off is a big mistake as you become more susceptible to injuries, muscle soreness, a depressed immune system, poor quality sleep, and a decrease in strength and performance. Extreme tiredness will also have a negative impact on your mood and motivation.

Take on the slowly but surely approach, steadily working your way towards your workout goals. With enough practice and time, you’ll see a huge difference in your workouts. Remember, pacing yourself is just as important as the number of sets you do and resting will ensure that you have enough sustained energy to keep up your fitness regimen for the longer term.