A USEFUL TOP 10

If you’re not seeing the gains from your workouts you desire or think you deserve, here are 10 ways to change your results:
Bet on yourself. Make a friendly bet with your best friend, your ultracompetitive brother or your husband about who can lose the most weight or break an eight-minute mile or workout for the most days in a row. Make the bet, set a definite time frame and let your competitiveness do the rest.
Play the numbers. Check your cholesterol, your blood pressure and your body fat. Set a goal date to lower your LDL cholesterol and raise you HDL cholesterol through an improved diet and regular exercise. Then, watch your blood pressure and body fat drop.
Make a deal. Make a deal with your significant other (or with yourself) to have one hour a day to yourself, provided you use the time to exercise. There should be no pressure to be a chauffeur, to clean the bathroom or to play with the kids, unless you are running around with them. Of course, you can return the favor.
Turn it up! Numerous studies have shown working out with fast-paced music helps you work harder and exercise longer. So, make a workout playlist on your ipod filled with your favorite songs. No one has to know about the Barry Manilow.
Plan on it. At the beginning of each week or month, schedule all of your workouts and cross them off as you complete each one. If you miss any, tack the workouts onto the next schedule. After all, exercise is as much a part of your life as any breakfast meeting, isn’t it?
Do pushups first. If you’re having trouble finishing your workouts, do the thing you like the least, first. Once you finish the pushups or squats or planks, you will know the hardest part is over and the workout may seem easier to finish.
Follow your passion. The prior tip notwithstanding, long-term exercisers do what they enjoy. If you hate the treadmill, ride a bike instead. If you dread the weight room, swim or take a sculpt class. The point is, you are more likely to reach your fitness goals if you consistently workout, and you will consistently workout if you are engaged in an activity you enjoy.
Just show up. What did Woody Allen say? Success is 90% showing up. No matter how fit you are, some days the hardest part is showing up for your workout. When you are having a bad day or you are sore from yesterday’s workout, get started on today’s workout and you will find you are able to cross another day off your schedule.
Ask a critic. Ask someone you know will be honest, which part of your body is the least attractive. Use their negative criticism to focus your workouts for the month. Then, ask again.
Find a mentor. Whether this person is a trainer or a ripped guy at the gym, don’t be afraid to ask for advice about how he or she got to the point they are now. Most people are flattered to be asked and are glad to share their secrets of success.

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Tags: Weight Loss