Starting a Workout Plan Successfully

When you start a workout plan, you refer to the starting point as week one right? Wrong. A better name is hell week. Now, you may be thinking, “Aren’t you being a bit melodramatic Justin?" No way. The first week of any workout plan is brutal. The workouts are hard and painful. The amount of weight you can lift is depressing. And after about five minutes of cardio you begin to question if your left lung just collapsed. Not to mention you have to get your butt off the couch and get to the gym.

I just made it through “hell week” and I wasn’t successful. 

Now I’m not trying to discourage anyone. I’m just being honest. I only went to the gym twice and played one game of soccer. My goal was to go to the gym five times this past week so why did I fail? Was it laziness? Did I have a busy week? Nope. I failed my weekly goal because I didn’t prepare enough. Since I don't want you guys to fail, I'm going to give you everything you need to start a workout plan successfully.

Preparation is Key

The key to making it through “hell week” is preparation. Every night prepare everything you need for the next day. Prepare everything you need for your workout. Organize all of your schoolwork and pack your bag. Make your lunch for tomorrow. Fill out a day planner (if you don’t have a planner, get one you’ll need it). 

Make Daily Goals

Do you struggle to achieve weekly goals like me? Make daily goals instead. They’ll be easier to achieve and you’ll feel accomplished when you meet them. Preparation and short-term goals will make you more efficient. When you’re more efficient you’ll have more time to get things done.

Work Hard Inside and Out of the Gym

Remember, achieving your fitness goals doesn’t mean just working hard in the gym. You need that same level of commitment and work ethic outside the weight room as well. You need to accept that your days are going to start to revolve around your workouts.  I know some of this stuff seems obvious but trust me, it’s easy to get off track in week one. What’s hard is putting a failure behind you. Forget about it. Get your head back in the game and make week two better than ever.