15 Health And Fitness Mistakes You Don't Want To Make

As a fitness professional with over a decade of experience, I've seen firsthand what works and what doesn't when it comes to improving health and fitness. And unfortunately, many people make common mistakes that can sabotage their progress.

So today, I want to share with you the biggest mistakes you can make when looking to improve your health and fitness. Avoiding these mistakes is essential if you want to see results.

1. Focusing on the wrong things. 

It's easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to other people or obsessing over the number on the scale. Instead, focus on how you feel and the progress you're making. When you focus on the number on the scale, you can easily become discouraged if you don’t see results as quickly as you’d like. Instead, focus on becoming healthy and fit – the weight will follow.

2. Not setting realistic goals. 

It’s important to set goals that are challenging but still achievable. If your goals are too lofty, you may become discouraged and give up altogether. Don't set yourself up for failure by aiming too high.

3. Not having an action plan. 

Without a plan, it is easy to become lost and unsure of what to do next. If you don’t have a plan of action, it will be difficult to stay on track and achieve your goals. Take the time to map out what you need to do to reach your goals and make a timeline for accomplishing them. If you're not prepared to put in the time and effort, you won't see results. Cultivating a healthy body requires dedication and consistency.

4. Not planning ahead. 

If you don't have a plan, you're more likely to give up when things get tough. Plan your workouts and meal times in advance, and make sure you have the supplies you need to stick to your nutrition plan.

5. Starting too aggressively. 

It’s important to pace yourself when starting a new fitness program. Start out slowly and gradually increase the intensity over time If you try to do too much too soon, you’re likely to get injured or burnt out. Start with a program that is manageable and gradually increase the intensity over time so your body can adjust safely.

6. Not including strength training in your program. 

Strength training is an important part of any fitness program – it helps burn calories/fat, tone muscles and improve overall health. If you’re not strength training, you’re missing out on many benefits.

7. Not being consistent. 

In order to see results, you need to be consistent with your workouts and diet. It can be easy to skip workouts when you’re tired or busy, but consistency is key when it comes to getting results from your fitness program. Make sure you schedule your workouts in advance so you have no excuse not to do them.

8. Doing too much cardio. 

While cardio is an important part of any fitness program, doing too much can actually lead to muscle mass loss and fatigue. Balance out your cardio with strength training for the best results.

9. Performing the same routine all the time. 

Your body adapts quickly to exercises, so it's important to change things up regularly

10. Eating unhealthy food. 

Just because you’re working out doesn’t give you license to eat whatever you want – in fact, eating unhealthy foods will sabotage your fitness goals and health transformation entirely! Make sure to include plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoid processed foods whenever possible. Just because you're trying to lose weight doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of all your favourite foods though . Just make sure they're part of a healthy diet plan and not consumed in excess

11. Not eating enough.

 In order to lose weight and see results, you need to eat enough food. Starving yourself will only lead to weight gain in the long run.

12. Not drinking enough water. 

Drinking enough water is essential for overall health and fitness. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, lack of energy, headache and other health problems – so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day (especially when working out).

13. Giving up after a few weeks.  

If you don’t see results immediately, don’t give up!Unfortunately, there will be times when you don’t see results or when things get tough – but don’t give up! Persevere through the tough times and remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place. Quitting isn't an option when it comes to achieving your fitness goals

14. Working out alone.

The benefits of training in a group are many. When you have a group of people to workout with, you are more likely to push yourself harder than if you were working out alone. You can also learn new exercises and get motivation from your fellow athletes. Group training can also be more fun and social, which can help keep you coming back for more.

15. Not having accountability.

Accountability is key when trying to achieve fitness goals. Having someone who will hold you accountable and help keep you on track can be extremely helpful in reaching your goals

These tips will help get you started on the right foot , but remember that every person is different and what works for someone else may not work for you . 

At Unit 11, Timperley and Sean Salinger Fitness we provide everything needed to avoid these fitness mistakes, and there has never been a better time to start. With our help, you'll avoid these mistakes and be on your way to the health transformation you've always wanted.  Click here to book a free 15 minute chat to see how we can help you to reach your health and fitness goals