Rewarding Yourself Is Important For Success

You’ve been working out almost every day. You’re latest trip to the scale showed the results you’ve been seeking. Now it’s time to dive into a great big slice of chocolate cake as a reward for getting the job done, right?

Wrong!

Using food as a reward for doing well in the gym and on the scale is a plan that can backfire in the long run. While you might not have to resign yourself to a life without cake forever to keep your weight off, you don’t want to allow yourself an opportunity to redevelop old bad habits when your weight loss successes are so fresh. Rewards, however, are very important and you should use them when you’re striving to reach exercise and weight loss goals.

If not food, what should you use to reward yourself?

There are all kinds of options that can reward and keep you motivated. Rather than reach for an ice cream cone, cave in on a big dinner out or sneak a slice of cake, why not try:

• A massage – You’ve been working hard and if you have reached a weight loss milestone, you’ve probably been working out hard, too. Why not give those muscles some much needed TLC? A      massage is a great reward that won’t add calories to your routine.
• Doing something fun – If you’ve always dreamed of going up in a hot-air balloon, skydiving or just going out and dancing, just do it. Use fun, exhilarating rewards to treat yourself for a job well done.
• Buy something special – If you’ve had your eyes on a new piece of jewelry or a nifty electronic      gadget, go for it. It’s okay to treat yourself to a fantastic reward if you’ve reached a milestone.
• Get a good book – Working out and losing weight are taxing, take a break for yourself with a good book.
• A trip to the spa or salon – Give yourself a makeover to go with your new look. Get your hair done, have a facial, get those fingernails fixed. Just treat yourself to a little indulgence.

Rewarding yourself is a great way to keep motivation high for weight loss success. Your rewards, however, shouldn’t come in the form of food. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for goals and appropriate rewards, work with your trainer to set up a milestone system. Think small rewards for mini-goals and big rewards for reaching the long-term goal.

What To Look For In A Fitness Routine

Your best friend works out six days a week, looks great and is almost ready for that upcoming marathon. You’re ready to start working out, but that routine sounds too intense to meet your tastes. How can you select a fitness routine that fits you, your lifestyle and your personal physical abilities?

The key lies in selecting a routine that does, in fact, fit your personal needs. It’s best to seek out a program that makes sense for you. That friend of yours has probably been working out for quite some time. You don’t want to start with a routine that grueling or you’re likely to not make it past day one.

To find the right routine for you, consider such things as:

• The frequency of the routine – Sixty minutes a day, five days a week might not sound like a huge time commitment, but it can be tough to stick with. If you have a lot of demands in your life, you might want to find a fitness routine that’s a little less involved. It’s better to select a routine you can truly stick with than go overboard right out of the gate and fail to reach your goals.
• The types of exercise involved – There are many different exercise opportunities out there. Not every person has to take part in the same one to see results. One person might do very well with aerobics, but another might see better results with a routine that blends traditional strength training with biking, running, swimming or some other form of cardio.
• Your personal interest – It is vital to pick a routine you actually find enjoyable. Choose an exercise that’s personally boring and you’re likely to want to quit before you even get off the ground.
• Its targeting ability – Most people have very personal concerns when it comes to fitness. Perhaps      there’s a need to burn off a few extra pounds and tone the legs and arms. Maybe you’re looking to simply build a little muscle? Whatever the case, you will be more motivated to complete your routine if it will show the results you truly want. Remember, there are different routines that are meant      to help participants reach very different goals. A marathon runner, for example, will need to subscribe to a different workout plan than a person trying to shed 20 pounds for health.

One of the best ways to make sure you select a fitness routine that suits your personal needs is to work directly with a 24/7 Personal Trainer to create a workout program just for you. Our experts can help you tailor a routine to your needs and help you make sure your concerns are addressed.