Getting results is the best motivation for going to the gym. You’ll like what you see happening. Results will inspire you to go back for more.
To get results, you must get serious about your workouts.
For women, getting serious usually means heavier weights. Many women fear heavier weights will transform them overnight into female bodybuilder versions of Lou Ferrigno. Nonsense! Female bodybuilders must dedicate and sacrifice years of their lives before achieving that muscle-bound look. The more casual female gym member will NOT transform overnight into the Incredible Hulk.
For women, heavier weights will produce that “toned” look most crave.
Heavier weights mean poundages where strict form is impossible after 10 to 12 repetitions. For most women, heavier weights means curling 20 pound dumbbells instead of 10 pound dumbbells— and not stopping at the first pangs of discomfort during the set either, but working through the pangs until maintaining strict form becomes impossible. Ditto with other exercises. Women must lift heavier and work harder in the gym.
Men have the opposite problem. For many men, getting results usually means going lighter with the weights. Men have a propensity to train their ego, as opposed to their body. They grunt through 2-3 reps in bad form with weights far too heavy. After a period of time, men become demoralized when they don’t see results. Or they get injured.
Men need to drop the weight and concentrate on proper form. Poundages must allow strict repetitions. Also, men need to work the legs. Come on guys! The muscles in the legs aren’t as flashy as the ones in the arms and chest, but they need to be worked all the same. Otherwise you’ll end up looking like a light bulb.
Finally, set goals. Best is stepping on the scale.
Set small, achievable goals on the scale— like gaining or losing 5 pounds. You will have a quantifiable number to target with a reasonable opportunity to succeed. Weigh yourself on the scale daily. Doing so will get you in touch with your body. Soon, you won’t need a scale to weigh yourself. You’ll know what you weigh based on how you look in the mirror or how you feel.
Getting results will have you going back to the gym.
You can do it.
This article written by Campbell Venn. Comments and suggestions welcome at CampbellVenn@optonline.net.
