5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Working Out
5 things I wish i knew when i started working out.
Supplements don’t determine progress.
When I first walked into the gym, I was convinced that if I didn’t have the fancy pre-workout and protein powder that I would never gain any muscle or lose any weight. I took “fat burners”, green tea pills…you name it. I tried so many supplements just to realize that they are the last pillar to building a pyramid of progress. Once diet, workout routine, sleep, and stress levels are consistent and progress slows down… is when supplements should be introduced.
They are MOST DEFINITELY not needed to make progress.
Lifting heavy and consistently will help you “tone”.
I was one of those girls that wholeheartedly believed that if I lifted anymore than 10 pounds I would blow up into the Michelin Man.
But, this is so far from the truth…
Lifting heavy with a controlled amount of weight is the perfect recipe for putting on muscle mass. Not only do you have to lift heavy, but you have to lift consistently. By this I mean that you have to do the same workouts over and over again to progressively overload the muscle. Going into the gym and picking a new insta workout every time will not necessarily challenge the muscle as much as it needs.
If you want to be “toned” LIFT HARD, and I promise you it’s damn near impossible to get “too big”.
Water is your easiest and cheapest tool.
If you aren’t drinking enough it could actually be limiting your progress.
Water improves circulation, which improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. It also temporarily increases your metabolic rate and has been shown to significantly decrease hunger levels. Without it, your muscles will dry up like the Sahara desert! This decreases strength and repair, and the muscle can’t thrive in these conditions! Dehydration can also lead to muscle cramps and an increased injury risk in the gym. Moral of the story, drink your aqua.
If you aren’t controlling your diet, you’re not controlling your progress.
You can be busting your butt in the gym, but if you’re not eating foods that are fuelling and repairing those muscle then you’re not making progress! I used to push HARD in the gym, only to go home and eat nothing but sidekick noodles and cereal. Your body can’t grow and repair without a certain amount of protein, fats, and carbohydrates to fuel it. Feed it accordingly.
Eat ALL the carbohydrates.
I wish someone had told me when I started working out that carbohydrates an absolute must. I cut carbs just like every other girl did, because carbs make you fat. WRONG, carbohydrates provide your body with energy. This energy is needed to fuel your workouts and aid in recovery. This is the gas that you put in the tank to GET SOMEWHERE. Without the gas you can’t hope to reach your destination.
I hope this helps bust some myths for those who are new or returning to the world of working out! Just remember your staples… consistent training and diet.
Everything else is extra. Keep it simple.