The success of any good workout plan has more to do with what you do outside of training then when you’re actually training. If you think about it, a 1 hour workout is somewhere between 4-5% of your total day. This means that about 95% of your day is spent outside of the gym and can have a bigger impact on your fitness journey than any single training session you will ever complete. 

These tips and tricks will ensure that you are getting the most out of your time outside the gym!

1. Sleep Better and Longer

Sleep is something that almost everyone knows that they need more of, but very few people prioritize. The common misconception with sleep is that you don’t have enough time to get everything done, therefore you sacrifice sleep. This can be a dangerous game because sleep is so detrimental to the recovery process. Without proper sleep, you are not giving your body enough time to repair the damage that comes with any workout. This can lead to an increased probability for injuries which put you farther back in your fitness dreams. This is compounded with your mind also feeling tired from lack of sleep can halt any fitness goal in its tracks. 

Sleeping conditions can also play a huge factor in quality of sleep. The best sleep occurs in a cool, dark room at a comfortable temperature. Make sure to unplug and stay away from screens an hour before you go to bed in order to feel relaxed. The light that screens give off can trick our brain into thinking it is in a different part of the day, resulting in you not being able to go to bed. Screens can wake up your brain and increase activity which is the opposite of what you want to do before bed. 

2. Eat the Right Foods….Most of the Time

We all know we can eat better. However, to cut all your favorite, guilty pleasure foods out at once can be a very drastic change on the body. Instead of cutting everything out at once, think of an easier approach. Instead of completely cutting out the foods you like, enjoy them in moderation. If you make the right decision 80% of the time, you will start to see those results! 

3. Get Your Movement in Different Ways

Going to the gym and working out to get some movement in your day is an amazing way to see short and long term benefits in your health and wellness journey. Take it to the next level by switching up your routine! This might mean taking a hike in the woods, walking your dog at the park, trying a yoga class you have been eyeing, or even checking out Anytime Fitness’s virtual workouts through Coach. Care. Connect. Any way that you can find a way to move is amazing! 

4. Hydration is Your Friend

Hydration can play a huge role in recovery. Not only does it flush out some of the toxins that our body produces, it also carries nutrients to your muscles that are needed after a workout. This speeds up the recovery process and makes sure that you are ready to get back to moving! 

Hydration also helps us regulate our body temperature, which allows us to workout without passing out from overheating. Passing out is not good! 

5. Do What Works For You! 

Even the best fitness plan in the entire world can fail if it isn’t something that you enjoy. No matter what you like, there is something out there in today’s world that will fit you. Go out and try different things until you find your thing. Once you have a thing, do your absolute best to get the results you crave. Those results are a whole lot easier if you love what you are doing!