Are you playing Ringer-a-ringer o'roses at the gym?
It turns out that I've been going to the gym to play ringer-a-ringer o'roses. 2-3 times a week I'd show up in my gym gear, my music blaring from my head phones, pumped and ready to go. I'd do some cardio and some strength building exercises for about 35 minutes and then kiss my biceps (like all gymnasts do) and head home.
Anyway, recently i realized that i've been doing close to nothing at the gym. I had a one-on-one session with an instructor who chatted with me about my physical training needs, took me on a tour of my gym and made work, work, work (3x). I was certain I would pass out at some point. Apparently, I hadn't been pushing myself as far as I should have. I was giving it my best -the best by my standards, which in serious gym people world is equal to ringer-a-ringer o'roses (I just learnt how to spell this, hehe).
My point is, though, you need to get the most out of your workout experience.
As with everything in life, you should have actual, achievable goals, in this case, fitness goals and build your work-out routine around these. It didn't occur to me that I needed goals until I chatted with this instructor.
Consider performing a fitness evaluation and speaking with a trainer about your needs. Remember to set your fitness goals; realistic, achievable, challenging goals. Also remember to have the right music playing and to get some other soft motivations too like gym crushes and motivation partners (wink).
Disclaimer: Soft motivations are for single people only. If you are in a relationship, bae is your soft motivation. Studies show couples who work out together attain their fitness goals like that...BAM!!!
Have you set your fitness goals? Any soft motivations? Grin.
Gym Hack: The Boy at the Gym
What motivates you to go to the gym? For me, I think it's Ed and mainly guilty conscience for eating all that moist, delish Thai curry with Basmati rice and not applying any portion control methods. Actually, I do portion control but with jara*. *Blush*
For my friend, her motivation to get those running shoes on and head to the gym is a guy. Hmmm. Wink. Wink. It gets better, he's a celebrity. It gets better still, he's single....we think. Come to think of it, what if he isn't?! We don't care, that's not what we need him for.
So my friend says they keep having all those flirty eye-locks in the gym mirror. Dear single celebrity guy, thanks for inspiring my friend to hit the gym and giving her the eye. We know your workout schedule and have neatly carved her workout days around yours. She's not hoping for anything more than your cooperation in helping her attain her fitness goals by staring at her. Just staring at her.
Studies suggest that the presence of the opposite sex during workouts motivate women to work out even more, even though it's also reported that women feel a lot more self conscious in a mixed gym; but we are working with the first part, thanks studies.
It's a short-term motivational plan but it's getting the work done and she's on her way to being super fit!
Honestly, it doesn't even matter what it takes to maintain an active lifestyle; guilty conscience, celebrity Adonis', your local Justin Beiber, your significant other, just do it!. You don't have to go to the gym to be fit either. You can work out at home with videos and fitness blogs!
What gets you to the gym? What keeps you on your grind in there?
*jara- Nigerian slang for 'a little extra'
Thanks, Busola for letting me use your gist here. Muah!