4 REASONS YOUR WORKOUTS AREN’T WORKING

Do you feel like your workouts aren’t working? You’re killing yourself in the gym and seeing no noticeable results? We don’t need to call your dedication into question because you’re in it and committed. In the never-ending struggle for weight loss, fat burning and muscle building there are tons of methods and miracle workouts that may or may not yield results. But, there are a few simple reasons your workouts aren’t working.  These may be the reasons for your lack of growth and the lean toned body you want.

1. You Don’t Know How to HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
   

   HIIT ( High Intensity Interval Training ) is an extremely effective and efficient way to get lean. The power of HIIT is that it burns fat during your training session and continually after. These sessions contain intense bursts and dramatic fluctuations in heart rate, which creates a large disturbance in your metabolism. The larger the metabolism disturbance, the more calories from fat is needed to regulate your body back to rest post-workout. Because of HIIT’s intensity, your body is unable to obtain enough oxygen during physical exertion. This lack of oxygen creates an imbalance or “oxygen defecate” that must be restored post-workout to regain balance. This phenomenon is known as EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). This process essentially helps you burn calories for up to 36 hours post-workout.

2. You Are Not focused on Muscle

   There is still a big portion of misinformed people out there that believe the best way to burn fat is to spend hours and hours on the cardio machines mindlessly spinning their wheels (literally if you’re on a stationary bike).  These are the same people who believe if they lift weights they will get “Too Bulky”. The truth of the matter is you need to change up your body composition and build muscle to burn off fat. Muscle is the only body tissue that burns fat, as it takes the highest amounts of calories to maintain and repair. In fact, too much cardio can actually have the opposite effect that you desire and actually burn away muscle for energy. If your diet isn’t on the point you can be changing your body composition for the worse.

3. You’re Neglecting Your Relationship With Your Bed

   Life is busy and a never-ending fight to keep up with responsibilities and a healthy balance of work, play, family, and gym time.  The gym is often neglected because “I don’t have time” but those of us who have used that excuse and seen the belly that comes with it have learned our lesson.  We’ve made the time and sacrifice to do what’s best for our health.  But just as important as the work you put in at the gym is the time you take to rest and recover. Certain hormones that aid in growth and recovery, the most important of which are growth hormone and IGF-1, which help us build muscle and burn fat, are active when we sleep and not active when we are awake.  So, rekindle your love with your pillow and your muscles will thank you for it.

4. You Can’t Lego Your Ego

   No amount of training can counteract a bad diet. We’ve all heard that abs are made in the kitchen but sometimes meals take more effort and cause more frustrations than your training.  It’s hard to find simple, clean, and delicious recipes.  Sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to find one that fits into your lifestyle.  Once, you find a meal that satisfies your taste buds and health goals you should learn to love it.  Not everyone wants to live out of Tupperware but it’s a wise choice to make enough food when you do cook to make enough to have leftovers for a few meals in the near future. Having healthy choices on hand helps you avoid throwing away your efforts at the gym on a taco bell craving because you were unprepared and hunger clouded your judgment. Experiment with spices and remember to focus on lean proteins and green leafy vegetables.