8 Things Every Fitness Beginner Needs to Know to Start Seeing Results Quickly

 Fitness Beginner Needs to Know 

Just because you’re working out doesn’t mean you have to spend hours doing it. The key to any successful fitness plan, whether that means losing weight or getting stronger, is to make sure you’re not wasting your time—and the only way to do that is to make sure you’re seeing results from your hard work at the gym. That said, here are eight things you need to know if you want to see results quickly from your fitness routine.

1) Don’t focus on losing weight

The word diet has become a four-letter word for a lot of people. Maybe it’s because diets are notorious for causing guilt, deprivation, and failure. Or maybe it’s because diets typically only result in temporary weight loss while the body is going through extreme reactions and adjustment periods. Whatever the reason, people avoid dieting and focus on fitness instead. That’s great! And this is what you should be doing too. Focus on becoming stronger, faster, and healthier than ever before with your workouts rather than obsessing over pounds lost or inches lost from your waistline. Once you start seeing results with your workouts (and trust me- you will), you will have more motivation to eat right, which will lead to better results overall.

2) Don’t judge yourself

Don't worry if you're not seeing the changes you want from your new fitness routine just yet. It might take a few weeks for your body to adjust and for your weight loss goals to start paying off. That said, there are a few things you can do right now that'll help boost the effectiveness of your workouts and make sure you're getting the results you want. 

1) Keep track of what you eat: If you're counting calories, write down everything you eat so that it's easier to keep track.

 2) Take some supplements: You can find a variety of different products at any health food store or vitamin shop to help with everything from detoxing after an intense workout session to boosting energy levels before or during an exercise session.

3) Join a community

Joining a fitness community is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself. Being in a fitness community will help motivate you and give you the support you need during difficult times. Having people around you that share your interest in fitness also helps push you outside of your comfort zone because they are doing new and challenging workouts with you. If a community seems intimidating, don't worry! All communities have their beginner groups or starter packs and all levels are welcome to join for free!

4) Stay focused (and positive!)

Focus on what you can do, not what you can't. And focus on the things that make you feel good about yourself! For example, if you struggle with leg day but enjoy bicep curls, spend your time there instead. It's okay to switch up your workouts. That's why there are so many options for fitness out there: so that no matter what happens in life, you can always find something new and healthy to try.

So keep at it, stay focused, and stay positive. If you're feeling unmotivated or negative, take a break from working out for a little while until you start feeling like yourself again. You don't have to be perfect--you just have to get started!

5) Set realistic goals

Set realistic goals when starting your fitness journey. Sure, it sounds exciting to want a six-pack and be able to do a pull-up, but as we all know achieving these goals is unrealistic for most people at the start of their fitness journey. It's better to set small goals that seem reachable at first and slowly build up strength as you go along. 

Some examples of realistic short-term goals include lifting more weight, running farther distances, or being able to complete one more repetition than before. One of the best ways to meet those goals is by writing them down! Once they're on paper you'll feel more accountable and work harder toward them because they will no longer just be in your head.

6) Change up your routine frequently

While some people like working out their chest and back on the same day, others prefer alternating the days they do them. What's important is that you switch up your routine. Don't overdo it with high-intensity workouts if you're not used to them yet. Get enough sleep so your body can recover from your workouts and get stronger. And always stay hydrated with water or a sports drink while exercising!

7) Go easy on yourself in the beginning

For most people, training for the first time can be a difficult process. It's challenging enough for someone who has been consistently active their whole life to start a new regimen and not see any results right away. Add in the fact that it's your first time and you're inevitably going to face some setbacks. That said, there are things you can do in the beginning to set yourself up for success later on down the line.

 1) Make sure you're eating enough. A lot of people don't realize how much fuel they need when they start exercising regularly, but if you don't eat the right amount of calories (the same amount as what you would eat if you weren't working out), your body will break down muscle tissue to get the energy it needs from somewhere.

 2) Choose workouts that fit with your lifestyle: Just because an exercise program is popular doesn't mean it's best for you!

8) Track your progress (but not too much!)

1. Keep your workouts at around 30 minutes each, three times a week, and schedule them in advance 

2. Use apps like MyFitnessPal or any fitness app that can automatically track your progress for you. It will motivate you and help you stay focused on the end goal! That being said, don't get too caught up in the numbers—focus on how you feel instead. If things start getting too difficult or if it's just not fun anymore, take a break! Try again after some time has passed. Find new challenges (either by yourself or with friends).