Enjoying a round of golf at Wailea Golf Course after completing an intense training routine.
Being in better shape not only adds years and longevity to our lives, but it also adds to the improved quality of each day we live. You get both the added quantity of a longer life, but also the quality of a healthier, more confident and energetic existence.
Here are 3 tips I implemented into my workouts that not only improved my focus and intensity in the gym, but also the quality of my life outside of it.
1. Complete a Challenge
Accomplishing something that you would have previously failed at feels good. Seeing how I improved on a weekly and monthly basis made me want to work even harder and accomplish even more. I wanted to see how far I could push my body and what I could accomplish with hard work and dedication.
Incorporate challenges into your workouts. This is where keeping track of weight and reps, or even time comes in handy. Try beating yourself every workout. You won’t get there every time as everyone has an off day, but give it a shot.
Keep track of what weight you squated last week and try to better it this week. I’ll do timed sets but I’ll still keep track of reps and weight just to make sure I’m improving on a weekly basis. I’ve found that no matter the activity, even lifting weights, I’ll perform better if I’m challenged. It’s also a confidence booster when I see the actual evidence of my progress, making me want more and better results in the future and knowing that it’s possible to get there.
2. Take a picture
Have some visual evidence of your success. You’ll have to do the obvious, like getting a good program, working hard and eating right in order to make this work, but make sure you have some visual proof of the strides you have made. If you’re working hard enough you’re probably going to see results, the problem with just using a scale is that sometime you’re burning fat and building muscle at the same time so the scale isn’t going to move a whole lot.
Having visual evidence of your success will be with you forever. Every time you question whether or not you can do something, you’ll have proof that you can accomplish things that even you thought were impossible.
3. Reward yourself
Reward yourself with something big, like a vacation. Have a set time that you’re going to dedicate to working out and bust your arse. Work your butt off for however long your goal is and then get outta town. Rewarding myself gave me yet another thing to work toward. I had goals and reasons for those goals, but it never hurts to have a reward like a trip or toy to keep you motivated.
After completing a 2 or 3 month training “phase” reward yourself with a vacation, a night out partying with friends, and new car or whatever floats your boat! But make sure you follow up on it, don’t just say you’re going to do this and that at the end of your training, actually do it! Rewards are great for motivation in case you don’t have enough as it is.
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How has getting in better shape improved your life?
