Avoiding Fitness Mistakes

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

15 Oct 2008 09:06 PM

Besides neglecting to include a warm-up and cool-down in your workout there are a host of other mistakes beginners and experienced fitness fiends make from time to time. To get the most of the time you spend burning calories it is important to recognize, and then eliminate these blunders from your fitness routine. Making fitness mistakes a regular part of your routine can lead to loss of interest or more serious injuries.

Take a look at these fitness mistakes and ask yourself if they have become a regular part of your fitness regime:

Unrealistic Expectations

Despite what you may see on TV infomercials, it's unrealistic to think you can lose 20 pounds in 20 days or that you can have superstar abs simply by doing 100 crunches a day. It's critical to create reasonable fitness goals and expect to put in a lot of hard work to achieve them.

Instant Gratification

It's a big mistake to expect fast results upon starting a new fitness plan. Beginners often fall into the trap of working out for a week straight and waking up the following Monday wondering why they still haven't lost a single pound (or in some cases having a panic attack because they gained a couple).

Exercise provides a host of benefits, including weight loss, but it often takes a while to see the results (think in terms of weeks and months not days). While you are waiting for the pounds to melt off concentrate on all the benefits you are gaining by adopting a regular fitness routine. For example, consistent exercise helps improve your immune system, thereby preventing sickness. It also improves your strength and endurance, allows you to sleep better at night, and stabilizes your energy level throughout the day. In addition, regular exercise helps you feel revitalized and gives you a recognizable glow.

Michele Cheplic writes about red-hot celebrities in POP CULTURE, fiery topics in PARENTS, sizzling recipes in FOOD, calorie burning exercises in FITNESS, and hot new kid-friendly crafts in FUN. Check out all of her articles here.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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