Ready to Lose Weight, Make It A Habit

So...you're new to exercise. Or maybe you have fallen out of the habit. Now what? You want to lose those extra pounds. You are probably full of questions. How many days should I workout? How long should I workout? What is better, cardio or weights? All of these are important questions to have answered. As a personal trainer,  I have worked with many different body types and people with differing goals. The number one thing when looking to create a habit and lose weight is consistency. Try for six days a week in the gym. You want to build a habit that will last. Schedule your workouts like appointments and refuse to miss them.  I would love for all of my clients to workout for 60 minutes at a time, but that is not always possible. Try for 45-60 minutes six-days a week.

When you build a habit and consistently show up, if you miss a day here and there it won't be as big of a deal. It  becomes as simple as showering everyday or fueling your car. Working out becomes a habit. Not every day needs to be at 100% effort. In reality - our bodies can only handle 1-2 days of extreme high intensity training. Recovery is just as important as working out. I recommend 1-2 days of high-intensity interval training, or tabata workouts, 1-2 days of weight training and 1-2 days of steady state cardio training (bicycling, elliptical, yoga, steady run).

If you are truly committed to your goals and make training a habit, you will see results by showing up to the gym on a consistent basis with a plan. For optimal results and accountability, considering hiring a trainer or committing to attending group classes at your gym. It takes 21 days to form a habit - if you need an accountability partner and a personal training plan, consider hiring a trainer at least during these crucial beginning 21 days. The cost will be worth the benefit.