3 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Lifting
When I was new to lifting, I didn’t know much about how to start my journey, if you will. Honestly, I just ran head-first into the idea and figured I’d learn along the way. To be fair I did end up getting in the groove, but I also hit many speed bumps along the way that I could have avoided if I knew these three things before I started. Here are a few lessons you should learn before starting your fitness journey, in no particular order.
First, REST DAYS. Why are rest days important, you might ask? RECOVERY. If your goal is to build muscle, increase strength, lose weight, or just feel better in general, you need to rest as well. Every time you workout, your mind and body is taxed. Lifting weights causes tears to your muscle fibers that need to repair themselves. This isn’t permanent damage, but the process of building muscle. The more often you cause this cycle, the stronger/larger the muscle becomes. If you don’t allow for the recovery period, you cannot increase the strength. You’re effectively blocking your own gains. While there may not be rest for the wicked, there’s definitely a need for rest for the fit.
Second, the amount of time you spend in the gym does not necessarily correlate to how fit you will become. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can walk into the gym, perform a single lift, walk out, and be okay. Obviously the amount of time will also depend on your particular fitness goals. But the need to spend two to three hours in the gym isn’t going to help you obtain the perfect physique you’re looking for in record time. Unless you’re an athlete spending more that 45 to 90 minutes in the gym isn’t necessary. If you’re doing this, you’re probably taking breaks that last too long in between sets or not lifting heavy enough to tire yourself out. Try spending around 45 minutes in the gym if you go 4 to 5 times a week. Or up to 90 if you go only a couple of times.
Lastly, your nutrition is going to make 80% of the difference with any goal. If you’re looking to bulk, nutrition is important. If your goal is to lose weight, nutrition is important. If you want to run faster, nutrition is important. I guess what I’m trying to say here is, NUTRITION IS IMPORTANT. This isn’t to say that you should jump on a fad diet and watch every calorie that enters your body, but maintaining a sustainable, healthy diet 80% of the time will do wonders with your goals!
There is so much more I’ve learned along the way, but rest days, not over-doing the gym, and nutrition has made my goals a whole lot more attainable. And not only that, it makes it much easier on my lift/life balance.
