5 Things I wish I knew before going to the gym
There are many things that we have to learn out of experience from doing fitness and we have to learn it the hard way.
That’s by dealing with the awkward stages.
That’s why I’m explaining everything here for you so you don’t waste time
and can skip that awkward gym fase
If there is one thing I would want to change and go back to to waste less time on it,
it would be the well known ‘Gym Anxiety’.
I think almost EVERYBODY has dealt with it. Or at least everyone who stepped into a gym with no plan but a very clear goal.
Just to improve your health and get fit in all certain ways. We just didn’t know exactly what to do yet.
That’s how we ended up walking back and fourth from the treadmill back to the leg press and maybe did some squats on the smith machine but further on we were lost. And that’s completely normal, we’ve all been there.
But that’s why I’m telling you this now, to prevent this from happening.
Now let me tell you what the 5 things are that I WISH I knew before stepping into the gym.
And if I could turn back time to tell myself these things I would be so much more ahead than now.
1.Create a clear workout plan
You don’t have to structure your whole week yet but only the workouts that you are planning to do on that day.
That way you wont walk inside the gym cluelessly and you can get straight to work;).
You could easily create one on your notes by just sorting out which exercises you will be doing in which order.
I also feel like when you have a clear plan you will feel less tempted to skip it and stay home.
Your gym moment should feel like an appointment that you can’t skip.
That’s how you stay consistent and disciplined.
2. Don't train on an empty stomach
Your pre and post workout meals are more important than you would think.
Many people think that when they’re in a calorie deficit they should go to the gym on an empty stomach to burn more calories. But that will just make you extremely tired afterwards.
Even if you aren’t a breakfast person and like to go in the morning. It’s better to have some type of natural sugar at least ( like an apple, a banana, or just any type of fruit will work).
The best thing is to have some type of carbs as well especially if your plan is to do weight lifting and maybe cardio after. This will give you enough energy to keep going though out your workout.
If you’re not a fan of oats, just have some toast or rice crackers with peanut butter (maybe banana) on it.
This also prevents you to feel dead after your workout.
That’s why it’s also important to have a good post-workout meal. Feeding your muscles with the right carbs and proteins after working out is crucial.
I used to think that working out was the hardest part but actually it is food. Eating clean and healthy, focusing on protein rich whole foods is the hardest part. But also the most important part.
You can work as hard as you can in the gym but the way you eat decides EVERYTHING. I couldn’t believe this as first but it’s true, it decides how you will look.
You can lift heavy weights but if you don’t consume enough protein your muscles can’t grow..
3.Prioritise 8H of sleep
Yes I was one of those people too..
To work my ass off in the gym just to end up partying, drinking alcohol and to BARELY sleep.
Now I realize how much this held me back from seeing progress. It sounds crazy but your sleep is 1/3 of the important things when you go to the gym.
Food 1/3 Gym 2/3 Sleep 3/3
If you are being consistent with these 3.
Then you got this 100%.
There will of course be days that you wont be sleeping as good but don’t let that hold you down, just take a step back and improve the next day.
Crazy enough when I was drinking a bunch op alcohol, I wasn’t eating much food.
Yet I was still not losing weight?!
I simply didn’t realize how MANY calories alcohol actually has. Plus I never slept good after a night drinking. even if I slept 10H after, all because alcohol will never give you a good night rest. :/
4.Bad gym days are still good
One thing I learned about diclipline is that there will be so MANY days that you really don’t feel like going to the gym.
But we still go of course. Some days I will still get a great workout and energy once I arrive and some days I will arrive and still feel kinda meh.
Those days I’ll have a bad workout cause I’ll be lacking energy.
BUT.. I still showed up.
Honestly that’s the most important part.
As long as you show up. You tried and did your best.
That’s all that matters.
Keep this in your head, Even if you couldn’t go 100% that day it really doesn’t matter. You took your time and energy to get there and did whatever you could do that day. That’s more than enough!
5.Abs aren't made in the gym but in the kitchen
This is the BIGGEST lie on the internet.
I was one of the people who believed this yes..
All these Youtube videos of “Ab exercises to get abs in 2 weeks/1 month”. Bullshit.
I know it’s hard to believe but there’s only one way to get abs and that’s to lower your fat percentage to a VERY low number.
If you wanna learn more about losing body fast, read my blog post here
Cause everyone has abs, you just can’t see them because of the layer of fat on your stomach.
But that’s all good, I honestly wouldn’t aim for abs anyway cause not everyone has de genetics to have visable abs sadly enough. (I am one of those people who does not have the genetics for it)
But this should definitely not discourage you, keep on training those abs cause there are many good things about doing so.
Having a strong core will give you a toned look still and fix your posture. That’s how you’ll have less lower back pain.
