Getting the most out of your workout

It sure would be great if any time spent in the gym delivered results, but the truth is that all workouts were not created equally.

There are techniques for getting the most out of each exercise and by utilizing these techniques you’ll achieve quicker and more noticeable results.

Check out the following 5 Smart Workout Tips to avoid danger and to get fit fast:

Smart Workout Tip 1: Use Challenging Resistance

In order to get the most from each rep it’s important to challenge your muscles, and not to simply go through the motions. If you are able to complete 15-20 repetitions easily, then the weight is too light. On the flip side, if you aren’t able to perform an exercise through its full range of motion, and find yourself cheating on form, then the weight is too heavy.

The correct weights will feel challenging by your last few repetitions but won’t force you to sacrifice form.

Smart Workout Tip 2: Change Up Your Routine

You may have noticed that most people do the same exercises each time they visit the gym. Maybe you’ve been doing the same exercise routine as long as you can remember—if it isn’t broken then don’t fix it, right?

The truth is that exercise routines have expiration dates, and that is the date that they begin to lose their effectiveness. As a rule of thumb never use the same routine for more than 4 weeks. In our training studio almost every workout will be different from the previous one.

Smart Workout Tip 3: Always Warm Up

This one always drives me crazy! Most people consider warm up time to be wasted time—they’d rather jump right into the heart of the routine. What they don’t realize is that a good warm up will allow you to perform at a higher intensity, which means greater results. Don’t EVER skip your warm-up.

The point of a warm up is to increase your muscle temperature. This increases blood flow, muscle contraction and reduces muscle resistance. Your warm up should last 5-10 minutes.

Smart Workout Tip 4: Use Proper Form

Gyms are filled with people performing exercises with bad form. The two biggest reasons are that you aren’t concentrating on the exercise, or you’re trying to lift weight that is too heavy. Lifting with improper form almost always results in injury.

Take the time to achieve proper form, by doing so you’ll avoid injury and will reap the full benefit from each exercise.

Smart Workout Tip 5: Never Workout Alone

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and typically see fewer results. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Why rush to the gym if no one is there waiting for you? Why push yourself if no one is watching? Exercising alone is a recipe for disaster.

The best way to avoid injury and to see results is to work with us. We are passionate about seeing our clients achieve results by working out smart and without wasting time, energy and effort on mistakes.

Don’t know where to start when it comes to exercise? Let us help you!

If you aren’t yet one of our prized clients then let’s do something about that. Feel free to reach out and call us at (813) 571-3700 to get started on an effective exercise program.

Wild Blackened Catfish

Any caveman would be proud of this catch! Wild caught catfish is delicate and flaky, with loads of flavor. Catfish contains healthy fatty acids, provides complete protein, is a source of vitamin B-12, and is low in mercury. Pair it with dark leafy greens and some fruit for the perfect caveman meal.
Servings: 4

Here’s what you need…

– 2 teaspoon olive oil
– 4 fillets wild caught catfish
– blackened seasoning (try Cajun’s Choice)
– 1 lemon, sliced

1.  Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a glass pan.
2.  Coat the catfish fillets in the olive oil. Generously apply the seasoning to both sides of each fillet.
3.  Line the fillets in prepared pan, and top with sliced lemon.
4.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, until flaky.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 107 calories, 3g fat, 120mg sodium, 0g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, and 20g protein.

How to quit junk food

Giving up Junk Food

Junk food tastes annoyingly good. There’s a reason for this – the food companies actually formulate each bite for maximum craveability with a specialized balance of sugar, fat and salt.

But while junk food tastes like another…it’s detrimental to your fat loss results.

Wondering what exactly classifies as junk food? You’re in good company, especially these days as many junk foods are being deceptively marketed and packaged as healthy choices.

Here’s the rundown on what classifies as junk food:

• Junk food has little to zero nutritional value
• Junk food is processed and packaged
• Junk food is high in sugar, fat and salt
• Junk food is high in calories
• Junk food is rarely eaten out of hunger
• Soda pop, convenience foods, packaged snacks, frozen treats…

4 Steps to Quit Junk Food

Imagine being 100% free of junk food for the next 30 days. How would your weight improve? How would you feel? How many empty calories would you save yourself from? Now let’s take some action!

Step #1: Get Rid of It

Step one is simple: get rid of all the junk food that currently resides in your home, office and car. Go through with a big garbage bag and toss anything that remotely resembles junk food. Remember, junk food is stuff that is high in empty calories.

Step #2: Stock Up on the Healthy Stuff

Don’t worry, you aren’t going to starve now that your junk food has been cleared out. Step two is where you go to the store and stock up on delicious, nutritious foods that will take the place of the junk food. Nuts, seeds, fruit, veggies, hard boiled eggs, meatballs, and hearty salads or burrito bowls (like the recipe below) are great items to have on hand. You’ll eat less of these healthy snacks, since these aren’t empty calories, but rather nutrient-filled calories that satiate.

Step #3: HALT!

When the next craving strikes you, tell yourself to HALT! This word is actually a handy acronym. Ask yourself, “Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?” If you’re hungry then reach for one of the healthy snacks from step two. If you’re angry, then explore the issue and seek resolution. If you are lonely, then reach out to a friend, instead of reaching for junk food. And if you are tired then make the time to grab a nap or get to bed early to catch up on sleep.

Step #4: Stick With It

The first day that you go without junk food will be the hardest day. The second day will be a smidge easier. The third day will be even easier than the second…and so on.

The fact is that your taste buds adjust to the foods that you exist on. When your diet is filled with junk foods then that is what your taste buds will crave, but as you shift to a diet that is filled with fresh, nutritious foods then your taste buds will forget all about that old junk food. Stick with it, one day at a time, and you will break free from the grip of junk food addiction.

Make Working Out a HABIT

Workout Consistently

What do you do every night before getting into bed? You brush your teeth. It doesn’t take much thought since it is such an ingrained habit. Imagine if exercise was as much of an ingrained habit as brushing your teeth. You would quickly achieve your weight loss goal and improve your health.

Here’s how to make exercise a habit

1) Exercise at the same time each day

2) Put it on your schedule as a must – not a maybe

3) Log your workouts in a journal

4) The ultimate way to create the habit of exercise is to join one of my programs – talk about guaranteeing your success!

Call (813) 571-3700 or email me at Rob@RobZFitness.com for more information.

 

Feel Sore Tomorrow or Feel Sore Today

 

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