We are all familiar with the challenges that come during stressful times. With all the recent stress of the world, now is a good time to move your body and get out and enjoy summer weather! Making the decision to be healthier can be difficult, and if you don’t see consistent progress from your efforts, you can feel discouraged and less motivated to keep trying.
There are some common mistakes that people can make when on the road to fitness, and below are five common errors that could be negatively impact on your fitness goals:
- Don’t walk around while carrying weights. Most assume that carrying weights can add extra resistance to your workout and can build strength in your arms while moving your legs. However, carrying weights can alter your posture and keep you from performing your cardio workout well and in a safe way. Try keeping strength and cardio training separate and focus on one at a time to develop the best results from each.
- Do NOT only do cardio workouts. Yes, cardio is wonderful for your body and can burn calories and fat, but your body needs more than running, elliptical, and other cardio exercises. Strength training is essential for improving your metabolism, preventing injury, and increasing bone density. Also, it catalyzes the burning of calories and can be a huge turning point in your weight loss journey.
- Stretching is important – don’t skip it. Most assume that their workout is done once they have completed their set, run a certain number of miles, or accomplished their intended goal. However, stretching is vital to your workout routine to warm your body up before working out, decrease muscle pain after a workout, and prevent injuries during your workout.
- Quick fixes aren’t sustainable. We can be impatient when it comes to fitness and often want to see results fast. However, crash diets and extreme exercise programs can lead to false expectations and unstable outcomes. The results that last come from embracing a healthy lifestyle. Sure, you can lose a lot of weight quickly by eating too few calories and exercising way too much, but you are very likely to gain weight back once the crash diet ends and once you fail to complete your crazy exercise regimen.
- Social media is not a reliable trainer. Tiktok, Instagram, and blogs can be inspiring and helpful, but they should not be used as stand-alone sources for health advice. Many programs that focus on one particular muscle can often result in injury and overuse. Also, programs should be personalized to fit the needs and goals of each individual and should not be generalized to the entire population. Be careful what you read and credit as true; your fitness aspirations and requirements are unique.
Chair massage, yoga, and other wellness programs can help decrease stress both personally and professionally, and can help you meet your health and fitness goals as well!
Since 2006, Corporate Massage Kneads has specialized in and offered chair massage in Maryland and surrounding areas. Consider Corporate Massage Kneads mobile chair massage services for your in-office wellness needs. Not only will we bring relaxation into your office environment, but we will also be a wonderful treat to your workspace that everyone “kneads.”
Source: “Five Common Fitness Mistakes That Can Slow Your Progress” by Emily Ledger, September 2014 issue of To Your Health
