Embarking on a fitness journey is a good lifestyle decision that can yield significant results. However, people tend to encounter various roadblocks now and then, which can hinder individual progress. It is, therefore, unsurprising that 41% of adults say lack of motivation is often what prevents them from exercising regularly. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom because overcoming workout problems is possible. These tips offer reliable ways to stay on track with your fitness routine goals.
- Lack of motivation
Motivation is a common problem many people face, especially in the bid to live healthier through fitness routines. Even gym enthusiasts have had to deal with a lack of motivation at some point in their fitness journey. The secret between them and those who fail to overcome this personal roadblock is determination. Set realistic and attainable goals for yourself with careful consideration for what you can attain within the target period. Additionally, break down your overarching objectives into smaller tasks you wouldn’t struggle with. Breaking them up into more manageable milestones will help keep your momentum going. For example, your fitness goal might be to lose 45 pounds of your weight in three months, but experts say that is too much of a stretch. Even worse is the fact that you will quickly lose the motivation to keep going. Instead of looking at the overall weight to lose, focus on monthly milestones to stay motivated. Another way to reignite motivation is to try new activities or routines targeted at helping you stay on the right track without changing your objective. It is also recommended to acknowledge your hard work and fitness progress in guilt-free ways that compel you to do more.
- Inconsistent workout routines
Aside from the lack of motivation, inconsistency is a workout problem many people face while on the journey to live healthier. Admittedly, life’s unpredictability can be a significant obstacle to establishing a consistent workout routine. The secret, however, is to embrace flexibility by having a backup plan, as it allows you to meet your fitness goals even on your busiest days. You may be unable to complete a full workout routine as you would on less busy days, but a backup plan makes provision for quicker exercises to maintain momentum. Thanks to technology, you can access fitness apps and join online classes wherever you are. You don’t have to be home or at your usual neighborhood gym to perform your workout routines. With the help of technology, you can maintain a consistent workout routine even on work trips several miles from home or in another country.
Moreover, your friends and relatives can help you maintain consistency in your workout routines. There is a psychological element here when loved ones help you maintain consistent workout routines. The idea of having a common purpose or goal acts as an agent to help you navigate the inevitable twists and turns that cause inconsistency in your workout routines.
- Hitting a plateau
Have you ever embarked on a fitness routine where everything progresses as you want, and then, at some point, everything seems stagnant? You may have started to shed the extra weight only to remain at the same value on the scale for several weeks. That is known as hitting a plateau in your fitness routine. It can be difficult to break through a fitness plateau when you continue to do the same things time and again. It requires strategic adjustments to resolve that roadblock in your fitness journey. Your body needs to be challenged further to get it to respond to the new adjustments made. That includes alternating between periods of higher and lower intensity and, most likely, increasing your workout hours. Apart from the restructured exercises, you should reassess your diet and nutrition to complement the adjustments already set in motion. Sometimes, in your zeal to overcome a fitness plateau, you may adopt drastic and unhealthy measures that work against your body. Therefore, you should seek professional advice as a preventive measure against causing harm to your body. Plateaus are almost inevitable in a fitness journey, but you can overcome them by appreciating the progress made and doing more to hit set targets.
- Limited equipment options
The fitness world has a long list of equipment to help you attain your fitness goals. Sometimes, however, getting the right equipment can be a problem if you don’t know how. First-timers find it challenging to decide on the appropriate workout equipment for their level. For instance, adjustable kettlebell sets are excellent for building and toning muscles, but without them, your routine may lack certain fundamentals. Kettlebells are used in conjunction with squats, lunges, and a whole range of movements. The ability to adjust the weight makes it even more convenient for users with different needs and capabilities. You may not have much of a problem if you’re subscribed to a neighborhood or community gym. Many gyms are well-stocked with a wide range of exercise equipment to cater to trainers and other attendees. If you train at home, however, there is a high chance of not having all the equipment needed for your daily routines. That makes it even more challenging to meet your daily exercising goals. If you can, invest in simple workout tools and equipment to keep your routine on track.
- Insufficient recovery time
Recovery is crucial to every workout routine, and ignoring it can bring more problems. Recovery time allows you to promote muscle and body flexibility or relaxation. Remember that your body has endured a lot of muscle pressure from all the workout routines and needs time to release that tension. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the reason to adhere to this basic workout instruction. They, therefore, endure more strenuous exercises in rapid succession with the hope of meeting fitness goals faster, which often doesn’t work out well. In your case, however, you can experiment with different recovery techniques to identify what works best for you. Techniques like ice baths, stretches, compression therapy, and so on will be beneficial for your recovery. Hydration and good nutrition are crucial aspects of a workout recovery, so incorporate them into your lifestyle.
