Essential

There are few better ways to increase your mental and physical fitness than by getting regular exercise. Your body is a finely-tuned machine that requires maintenance and attention just like anything else in your life. That is why it is so important that you have some kind of regimen, even if it is just a 30 minute walk once a day.

The body and mind are connected, so if you are having mental problems, it could actually be a body issue. Fitness does not just mean the body like many people think, it is a full mind body wellness. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you guessed it, you look good too.

Expert Tips

One of the reasons that so many end up getting out of shape and staying that way is simply because they don’t know where to start when it comes to putting together an effective regimen. That is why below we put together some must-know tips to get in shape:

Eat Right – This one is a no-brainer. If your body does not have the right fuel, then it is going to break down, just like a car. It does not matter how much you exercise if you aren’t giving your body the things it needs. So stay away from processed foods. Fats can actually be good too as long as they are the right ones. It is all about balance. Make sure you are getting a proper dosage of protein for lean muscle, carbohydrates for energy, and fats for cognitive and motor functions.

Full Range of Motion Exercise – This is something that a lot of amateur lifters and exercise enthusiasts don’t do. You don’t want to focus too much on one particular area, like arms or chest. Trophy muscles look nice, but you will have much better overall health, and not plateau if you use full range of motion exercises. Getting in shape and looking good could even pay off, as Facebook and other social media platforms want your nudes.

Don’t Compare – This is more of a mental trick than a physical one. Often people that go to the gym or try to get in shape end up getting demotivated and quit. This of course is counterintuitive for an exercise program. Don’t get caught up comparing your fitness level to that of others, it will only end up demotivating you. Instead focus on yourself and your own gains.

Don’t Go Too Heavy – This is another common rookie mistake. Often males especially feel that if they lift more weights, they gain more mass. This is not necessarily true. In fact, it is important that you start to fail on a resistance training set at 30 to 40 seconds, anything less and you are robbing yourself of an efficient exercise. That is because allowing for a bit longer of a burn helps to tear more muscles, which means more will be repaired and thickened.

Still looking for expert tips to whip you back into shape? Check out some more strategies here.