Exercising regularly, but not seeing results? There could be many reasons as to why your workout isn’t working for you. Below are just some of the reasons that you may not be meeting your fitness goals.
You’re not working hard enough
It’s possible that you’re not working yourself to the point that will actually make a difference. There’s truth in the cliched phrase ‘no pain, no gain’ – if your muscles aren’t aching afterwards or you’re not out of breath, you’ve probably not pushed yourself far enough. Consider whether you may need someone such as a personal trainer to motivate you if this is the case. It’s natural to want to stop exercising when it starts getting uncomfortable – some people need that extra push from someone else in order to make their workout effective.
You’re working too hard
If you’re exercising too hard or too regularly to the point that you’re not giving yourself a break, you could equally be preventing your workouts from having any effect. Rest is important for repairing muscle and for losing weight. Consider whether you need to take more breaks. Aim to exercise hard every other day and make sure that you’re getting enough sleep so that your body is able to recoverl.
You’re not eating the right foods
Diet and exercise both go hand-in-hand when it comes to reaching fitness goals – you can’t change one without changing the other. If you’re trying to build muscle mass, you’ll need to consider upping your calories and getting more protein and carbs into your diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, consider reducing your calories and eating more nutritious foods (less processed foods). There’s usually not a one-size-fits-all approach to dieting – this is why many people benefit from hiring a nutritionist or using online nutritional plans. On top of eating different foods, you could consider trying some supplements from the supplements store. Drinking enough water is also important.
You’re doing the wrong types of exercise
Certain types of exercise could be harmful to your fitness goals. If you’re doing strength training, then you want to limit cardio exercises and focus primarily on weight lifting. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s worth doing more cardio – but still doing some weights exercises to help burn calories. It’s important that exercises are done correctly so that your body is getting the most out of them. Consider whether you’re using the right form when lifting weights and that you’re using the right technique when running.
You’re expecting too much too soon
Your workout may not be working because you’re expecting too much too soon. Some people don’t start to see results for weeks or even months. This is because your body is actively fighting back by trying to preserve the same body weight. You need to keep at it for a while before your body can no longer resist it, at which point changes will start happening. If after six months, you’re not losing weight or gaining muscle, then you know that the problem is something else.
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