Why You Might Want To Ditch Your Gym Routine To Lose Weight

Okay, hear me out. I don’t want you to quit the gym altogether (or however you choose to exercise.) But sometimes getting too wrapped up in a strict regimen can lead to all or nothing thinking.

This all or nothing thinking can particularly kill your momentum in the beginning, when you are just developing a new routine. It’s really difficult to go from not exercising at all to hitting the gym five days a week.

Instead of putting so much pressure on yourself, ease into it. Set an attainable goal that helps you to build the routine into a habit.

Make your routine work for your life.

The best way to form a habit is to make it work with your lifestyle. Some days you will have the time to dedicate to a long run and others you might only be able to squeeze in 15 minutes after work.

A fifteen minute workout when done right is all you need to get stronger, burn calories, and boost your heart health. To make your workout count, focus on doing full body workouts that involve compound exercises to build your muscles.

Also, focus on getting in more movement and activity throughout your day. You may not see the results you desire if you don’t move around much outside of a one hour workout.

Aim to be active all throughout your day.

Incorporating more movement throughout your day doesn’t have to be hard.

Can you go for a walk on your lunch break or invest in a standing desk? You can also do some stretches while you watch Netflix, opt for the stairs over the elevator, or park further away from the grocery store.

While exercise does burn calories, the majority of what you will burn actually just depends on your base metabolic rate.

Not all of us want to be athletes, and you don’t have to become a gym rat to support your health. You can still increase your overall daily activity.

Optimize your exercise.

When you do have time for a proper workout, make the most of this time. Practice perfect form at a speed that works for you, increasing speed and resistance as your fitness level goes up.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts get your heart rate up quickly while strengthening your muscles. There are thousands of helpful videos to follow on Youtube that you can do right in your living room.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something you enjoy. After all, you are much more likely to stick to a routine that feels fun and fulfilling!