It's All Yours Baby
The gym is your haven. It is your place to escape the grind of the day-to-day, the stress of life, and the annoyances of your co-workers, family and friends. It is your sanctuary and therefore under no circumstances should you leave your sanctuary feeling dissatisfied, on edge, or upset because your workout sucked.
Nothing happens by accident and therefore bad workouts happen for a reason. So instead of wallowing in self pity thinking about how sub par your gym session was, you should sit down and think about everything you did that day leading up to the mother of all let downs, and remap your game plan for you next session.
The following is intended to fool-proof your workouts ensuring you walk out of the gym more pumped then when you entered.
1) Have a game plan. If you think you can just walk into a gym, sans plan, goal, or map – think again. A solid workout must have a roadmap complete with a legend. On this road map you must know what muscle groups you are working, what machines, dumbbells and barbells you need, how long you want to be there, and ultimately why you are there. With these goals in mind you should have a program drawn out complete with sets and rep ranges. Your goal will keep you focused, and in your sanctuary focus is key.
2) Drop your baggage at the door. This is your time now. Not your boss’s, not your partner’s, and not that jerk’s who cut you off on the way to the gym. It is time to concentrate on one thing and one thing only - and that’s your physique. Thinking about your phone bill is not going get you that fourth row of abdominals. In reality stress may actually make you retain more water, making you lose any abdominals you may already have.
3) Get your rest. If you spent the night before tossing and turning, or simply hit the sack late, it may not be a good day to consider hitting the gym. Without solid rest, you cannot expect your mind and body to perform like a Spartan. Further, pumping yourself full of caffeine and similar substitutions is not the answer to all of life’s problems. My advice, if you choose to accept it is, take a pre-workout power nap, or even take the day off. If your mind and body aren’t feeling it, then sorry to say it - neither are you. A day off (God forbid) will not kill you, and it may even inspire you to workout twice as hard the next day.
4) Fuel your system. You can’t expect your diesel like system to run on empty. If you are built like a truck, you obviously guzzle fuel in the same manner. Make sure your nutrition is top notch - before and after your workout. Not only will this supply your body with the energy it needs to perform, but your mind will be at ease as it will be satisfied and ready to focus on every rep and set. Based on your own personal caloric intake, prepare your body with a complete protein, a complex and a good fat at least one hour before your workout. My suggestion: Curried Quinoa Salad with Grilled chicken.(See Below)
5) Fine “Tune” your mood. You can’t guarantee yourself that your gym is going to be pumping out songs that will keep you going, nor is it their fault. So go prepared with your own play list, full of songs that you know will get and keep your heart rate going. Your best bet is to compile a play list specifically for the gym or even for each muscle group, and switch it up often. (For further suggestions see below)
Got everything under control now? Why not take it to the next level. ALLMAX Nutrition’s Muscle Prime is specifically designed to help you maintain a solid pump and focus from your first rep to your final interval. With a complete complex of essential amino acids, Muscle Prime is guaranteed to prepare you for your workout by increasing mental focus, blood circulation, and nitrogen delivery. Its inclusion of all three BCAA ensures proper and efficient recovery and repair.
It’s time to step it up – your workouts are now fool proof.
Curried Quinoa Salad
INGREDIENTS:
2c. Quinoa (cooked in a low fat/low sodium chicken broth – optional)
1c. Red peppers
1c. Apple
1c. Celery
1c. Raisins
3-6 Green onions
1-2 Tbsps curry powder
The next couple ingredients are optional:
1c. Low fat feta
¼c. Olive Oil
1c. Low fat coconut milk
STEPS:
1) Chop all veggies
2) Cook quinoa
3) Add curry powder
4) Blend all and enjoy
This salad can be enjoyed warm or cold…I prefer it cold.
Pump it Up Play List Suggestions
1) Swing Your Rag – T.I
2) Champagne Red Lights – O’Neal McKnight Ft. Busta Rhymes and Ron Browz
3) Leanin Low – Lil’ Wayne
4) Wake it Up – E-40 ft. Akon
5) Work That – G-Dep ft. Gemstones
6) The Anthem – Pit Bull ft. Lil’ John
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Valeria, a recent graduate of Carleton University, is a part time personal trainer as well as an amateur fitness competitor. Her favorite kind of training is HIIT. Currently studying Professional Writing in college, Valeria enjoys weighttraining, competing in fitness shows, snowboarding, and soccer. Valeria regularly consumes ALLMAX ISOFLEX and Glutamine to help with muscle recovery after her workouts |
