The beginning of a new year marks the commencement of new goals and self-improvement. For fitness fanatics, this may mean setting challenging targets in terms of athletic prowess – whether you want to build muscle or improve endurance, there’s no doubt that with the right mindset, you can overcome the hurdles and become the athlete you aspire to be.
Athletic improvement is a delicate balance of planning, consistency and determination. If you want to push your limits to achieve your fitness goals, consider these helpful tips for becoming a better athlete.
Visualise Your Goals
Planning an effective fitness regime begins with establishing your goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve? Perhaps you want to build muscle or improve your cardiovascular fitness. Whatever your goals may be, many fitness enthusiasts often find it helpful to keep a diary to track their progress. List your long-term goals and where you want to be in one or five year’s time, then break your plan down into smaller, more manageable sections.
Focus On Nutrition
Nutrition is a vital component of any fitness journey. Food is the fuel that improves athletic performance, increases endurance, and provides the body with everything it needs to thrive. Avoid completely eliminating unhealthy foods from your diet, but instead focus on how you can increase your intake of high-fibre carbohydrates, lean protein and heart-healthy fats – not forgetting plenty of fluids. You may find it helpful to contact a sports nutritionist, who will help you create a healthy, adequate diet plan.
Boost Your Core Strength
The body’s core is made up of trunk and hip muscles that surround the spine, the purpose of which is to support the spine and provide stability. Weak core muscles can lead to fatigue and even injury, particularly if you partake in physical activities such as weightlifting. Incorporate beginner core exercises into your warmup routine to improve your posture, balance and stability. You could also try gentle, low-impact core-strengthening activities such as yoga and swimming alongside your regular workout.
Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone
In terms of physical fitness, we are often told “no pain, no gain” – while this is a helpful mantra for some, others prefer slightly more encouraging aphorisms. That said, becoming a better athlete often involves pushing your boundaries and testing your limits. Stepping out of your comfort zone to try a new form of exercise or activity could help you realign your focus and grow as an athlete. For example, why not join a high-intensity group training session or try a new sport with a like-minded friend?
Stick To A Plan
When it comes to smashing your fitness goals, consistency is key. You won’t see results overnight, perhaps not for a long while, and while this may feel disheartening, perseverance is the name of the game. There will be days when training is the last thing on your mind, and you’d rather stay in bed than drag yourself to the gym. However, this is, more often than not, a case of mind over matter – push through the lack of enthusiasm, pack your gym bag with a few extra packs of energy gel and keep working towards your goals.
Consider A Coach
Training with a partner is an excellent way to increase motivation – even better when that partner is a coach or personal trainer. Professional personal trainers identify your strengths and weaknesses to provide excellent advice and guidance regarding your fitness regime. A certified PT will also encourage your progress by helping to improve your technique, which will also decrease the risk of injury. They may also provide advice concerning nutrition and sleep quality so that you can get the very best out of your fitness journey.
Celebrate Small Wins
As we’ve mentioned previously, fitness goals don’t manifest overnight. Avoid letting a lack of radical, visible progress deter you from sticking to your long-term goals, and instead, celebrate small wins. For example, revel in the feeling of satisfaction that comes with achieving a set number of repetitions of an exercise or taking the time to train for a predetermined number of days in a month. Slow, steady progress is not only healthy and beneficial, but it allows you to make necessary adjustments to your diet and routine along the way.
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