5 Mistakes Making Your Fitness Routine Fail

The more time that passes working in the health and fitness field…the more I see the same 5 mistakes making your fitness routine fail.

I’m sure you don’t want to fail, but that doesn’t negate the cold hard fact that you are.

You want to lose body fat but you’re not.
You want to get stronger but you’re not.
You want your clothes to fit better but they don’t.
You’d love to have more energy but you’re more tired than ever before!
You wish you felt better but you’re still in pain.

Reality exists and the sooner you accept that this is where you are…the sooner you can start figuring out what the heck is going wrong and begin the process of getting it fixed.

MISTAKE #1 | Walking Just Isn’t Enough

When asking clients about their fitness routines, they often reply with “I walk”.

Now, don’t get me wrong…walking regularly at a brisk pace for an extended time does have some health benefits like reducing your chance of dying from anything (all-cause-mortality) by around 10%.

While I’ll take the 10%, walking doesn’t have the dramatic health benefits that other forms of training have. Benefits most people want such as strength development, increased metabolism & efficient fat loss.

Walking is a good start or “extra” activity but it shouldn’t form the foundation of your fitness routine.

MISTAKE #2 | No Strength Training

It may sound like I’m beating a dead horse. Learning why you should and how to train for strength is a central component of Life By Design. However, there’s a reason it needs to be discussed regularly…that’s because very few people are actually doing it!

Strength development is THE central piece to attaining most of the goals you’re attempting to achieve. If you’re exercising at home, in a gym by yourself or even trying some bootcamps there’s a good chance you’re not training for strength.

In fact, a very big misconception is that if you’re using “weights” you must be strength training and that’s simply just not true.

MISTAKE #3 | You’re Not Eating Enough

Yes, I said “not enough”. You did read that correctly.

Every time someone has a goal that includes losing body fat, the natural inclination is to eat less. When I review the results of a food log from someone “not getting results” it’s almost always a case of 1. Not enough food. 2. Not enough fat. 3. Not enough protein.

How can you let go of body fat if you don’t have enough nutrition to support your body’s optimal function? You can’t and you won’t. Your body is smart enough to know when it’s time to just survive and when it’s time to thrive.

Take away calories and nutrients, it’s survival mode for you. Good luck losing any body fat until you get this fixed.

PS. Click the link for details about the next Eat By Design Workshop…I’ll teach exactly what to do.

MISTAKE #4 | Low or No Intensity

This mistake is an extension of #2 but common enough to make it a separate conversation.

Do you know what high intensity means? It doesn’t mean working hard. It means working at a higher percentage of your maximum. Now anyone who’s done this knows it’s challenging but you could also do 100 arm curls which will definitely make you sweat and breath harder, but it won’t give you the results you’re looking for (unless those results are sweet beach biceps!).

To develop strength & build a body that uses energy (aka fat) to sustain itself all day long, you need use resistance near your peak capacity. This means if you can squat 100 pounds 1x, you’re best to use 80-90 pounds and squat that weight 2-5 times for 3-5 sets.

MISTAKE #5 | You Have No Progression

I saved the best for last.

Even IF you had some of this figured out such as the diet & training for strength…make this last mistake and you’ll be stuck where you are forever.

The difference between a fitness routine and a training program that will get you the results you’ve been dreaming of…is the principle of progression.

Most are doing the exact same thing they’ve always done. Walking, treadmill, elliptical, a few circuits on the machines or a class.

Without a strategically planned program with detailed progressions built into it, how can you expect to see any change in your outcomes. You can’t simply repeat the same exercises, at the same difficulty level, in the same order as you’ve continued to do every time you follow your fitness routine.

If you want results like strength, flexibility, fat loss, less pain and more energy, it won’t be easy but if you know what you’re doing or have experts who do, it’s also not rocket science.

Our coaches can show you exactly what to do, help correct any challenges you’re having and get you on the right track for future results. Whether you train at The Fit Club or use your new skills at your current gym or even at home, the Fit Club Starter Course is the perfect start point for almost anyone who is guilty of these 5 mistakes making your fitness routine fail.

TRY THE ON RAMP STARTER COURSE.

CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Dr. Jamie Richards

I’m Jamie and I’m obsessed with health, passionate about maximizing performance and love being an expert in Bio-Structural Restoration™. As the CEO and founder of Life By Design Inc. I have the drive to lead our community toward extraordinary lives. I am in love with my wife, Dana, daughters Andie & Scottie, I’m fanatical about modern design, and I’m deeply committed to the pursuit of a happy life.