Get Fit Faster With This Helpful Advice

Admittedly, getting in shape and staying physically fit is not an easy endeavor, and it often isn't fun. However, you must know that it's crucial to remaining healthy. It is not necessary for your workouts to be very extreme. Fitness only take some of your time and efforts. It might even be fun.

• Counting calories is a great way to stay fit. When you know the number of calories you ingest every day, you can better determine whether you will gain or lose weight. Consuming a reduced amount of daily calories and exercising on a regular basis will help you get fit quickly.

• Always mix in some variety into your workout and exercise routine. This helps to avoid boredom from too much repetition and will also maintain your level of motivation. This also uses different areas of muscles so your body does not become accustomed to it and not benefiting from the exercise anymore.

• To help protect your knees, you need to work towards strong thighs. One of the most common sports injuries is a torn ligament behind the kneecap. The best way to protect your knees is to do exercises that not only workout your quads but also your hamstrings. Examples of exercises to accomplish this are leg extensions along with leg curls.

• Do ab exercises other than crunches. Although you may crank out 250,000 crunches, studies show that a mere 1 pound of fat is consumed. So, if your only workout is crunches, you end up cheating yourself. Work out your abdominals in other ways, as well.

• For a general workout that will benefit multiple muscle groups, concentrate on completing a smaller number of repetitions at a higher weight. You can get started by concentrating on a single muscle group like the chest, abdominals or gluteals. Start with lighter weight to warm up your muscles. You can do upwards of 15-20 reps with these weights, then increase the intensity. Next, increase the weight and do a smaller set of 6-8. Add at least five pounds of additional weight, then repeat your third set.

• Record all of your daily activity in a detailed fitness diary. Make sure you keep a diary of your exercises that you are doing. Purchase a pedometer and record your steps into your diary as well. It's always easier to stay on track towards your fitness goals when you have a written record of your progress. 

• A strong core is vital for well-rounded fitness. Having a strong core makes exercising other muscles of your body easier. Doing sit ups is a good way for you to build your core. Sit ups also stretch the muscles in your abdomen, allowing for a broader range of motion. Larger range of motion means a more difficult and rewarding workout.

The bottom line is that while gaining fitness can be tough, if you set your mind to the potential benefits, you will surely succeed. You do not need to hurry to reach the finish line, and you do not need to do it all alone. Avenues of help are available if only you reach out to them.