When hiring a trainer, clients expect results. Trainers love to get results for their clients, because it improves their credibility and because it is usually the reason they’re working in the fitness industry. I have heard of some trainers that don’t even take clients on unless they can definitively tell that the individual is going to get serious about fitness.
If you find yourself getting frustrated with your results or if you want to know how to get serious about fitness from the get-go, follow these tips:
1) Diet is everything. Make sure that you are eating right all of the time. If you need help learning the difference between wrong and right in the diet world, ask your trainer. While many trainers are not certified in nutrition, they should be able to give you basic tips to guide your decisions. You can always revert back to the trusty pyramid (mypyramid.gov). While it has changed slightly over the years, the premise remains the same-having a balanced diet, with mostly whole grain pastas and breads as the foundation, varied fruits and vegetables as the next building blocks, low-fat meats, nuts, and dairy products as the next, and fats and sugars as the smallest intake of all groups. Variety is key, as each fruit and vegetable gives you essential nutrients for healthy living. For meats, beans, and dairy products, make sure you consume those that are low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Caloric intake is just as important, if not more, than the amount of calories you burn. Talk to your trainer or find a caloric intake calculator online to help you find out what is best for your individual body.
2) Exercise on your own, too. Any trainer will tell you that it is crucial for you to accomplish your goals by exercising regularly. It is recommended for health maintenance for you to exercise three times per week for 30 minutes. If you want to lose the healthy amount of weight per week-2 to 3 pounds, you must work beyond this. Most clients cannot afford to train with a Fitness Professional more than two to three times a week, so it is up to you to hold up your end of the bargain the remaining days of the week. Typically for the inexperienced, it is easiest just to ‘do cardio’ on the days you must train on your own. However, you should push yourself as much as your trainer would.
3) Stretch at every opportunity. Every opportunity does not mean as soon as you wake up. You shouldn’t stretch cold turkey. Your muscles must be nice and warm to give you the benefits of stretching-increased flexibility-without tearing. Light stretching is acceptable just before a run or a workout, but you should only attempt deep stretching when your blood is flowing really well. Ballistic stretching-bouncing to deepen your stretch-is not appropriate for the typical exerciser. Use your breathing to help you stretch. Take a deep breath in, and when you exhale stretch as far as you can comfortably stretch. Flexibility is important for adjusting your imbalances as well as executing exercises with proper form.
When you were in school, your teacher had you do homework so that you could solidify the material in your mind and learn additional material to help you progress at a more rapid pace than if you were to only learn what you were taught while sitting in front of him/her. Your homework for your PT program is to watch your diet, exercise on days off from training with a Fitness Professional, and to stretch lightly before and deeply after exercising. Only the test is different-it is your individual goal that you set for your workout program. Only you can truly achieve this goal.
To contact the author of this article, visit: [http://www.difitpros.com].
