Hell hath no fury like a woman not seeing results from her workouts! There’s nothing more frustrating than spending hours exercising and getting nothing in return. The reality is that there are multiple factors that can greatly impact the overall experience and effectiveness of your workout. To get the best results possible, there is work to be done both inside and outside of the gym.
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Keep these factors in mind to maximize your time spent exercising:
1. Sleeping Beauty: Sleep does wonders for a woman’s body. Not only does it afford us peace of mind, but it also powers us with the energy needed for a productive and effective workout. Not to mention, getting enough sleep helps to keep your metabolism active and ready to burn through those pesky calories that are preventing your weight loss! And by allowing your body to rest, you’re enabling yourself to recover – driving muscle growth.
2. You Really Are What You Eat: It’s something we’ve heard our whole lives – “you are what you eat.” And while that’s not entirely true, it turns out that your diet really does have an impact on your overall health. And if you are regularly exercising, you’re burning more calories, which will make you even hungrier! So, it stands to reason that you should fuel your body with the right foods to drive your fitness cycle. According to CNN, it’s best to eat carbohydrates before a workout to provide you with enough glycogen to power through and perform!
3. Strength in Numbers: Do you work out on your own? While many of us do, a recent study conducted by Oxford University illustrated that there are benefits associated with exercising in a group. Participants in the study experienced a greater endorphin release when exercising with others.
While working out on your own is convenient, working out in a group setting can challenge and motivate you in a way that you’d never experience if you were riding solo.
4. H2O for the Win: Just as carbohydrates are great to load up on before a workout, there’s nothing better than properly hydrating your body before and after you exercise! Without enough water in your system, your muscles will become more easily fatigued, which can cause cramps and pain.
Further, you’ll lose steam early in your workout. Be sure to drink up to regulate your body temperature and keep your joints nice and lubricated throughout your time spent exercising.
5. Check Your Watch: What time are you exercising? Is it early in the morning, before you’ve begun your day? Or is it some time during the afternoon? Perhaps you enjoy heading to the gym during the nighttime. Believe it or not, the time that you exercise can truly impact the effectiveness of your workout. If you’re not a morning person and you head to the gym before the sun rises, you will not be as motivated as you would be at a later time. While everyone’s different, many cite that heading to the gym at social time during the day drives them to partake in a strong workout.
Getting your workout in isn’t enough. To get the most out of your time exercising, it’s imperative to fuel and rest your body. Most importantly, it’s essential to listen to your body and trust your instincts. Don’t forget – it’s about the journey!
Have you found something that impacts your workouts? Please share your insight in the comments below
Are you looking to get in the habit of exercising in the morning? Then this article is for you: How Women Over 50 Can Learn to Embrace Morning Workouts.
