Exercising Concepts

EXERCISING is perhaps more mentally challenging than physically challenging. The dedication and discipline required to maintain a fruitful workout regimen is no easy chore. Here are some important concepts to keep in mind regarding exercise. No matter your level of experience, these important principals can help keep you on the fitness track at all points of your life:
Stay Realistic

There is a saying that goes, “aim for the stars. Even if you miss, you’ll still up on the moon.” That saying is crap. I would argue it’s actually detrimental to your fitness to have too high of expectations. The key is setting realistic expectations for yourself. All too often, people set out to be Mr. or Ms. Olympia. That is just simply too unrealistic. What happens is that once it becomes apparent you’ll never reach your goal, people become discouraged and quit exercising altogether. Keep your goals fairly simple and short-term focused. Take baby steps. Instead of saying “a year from now, I want to have one of the best bodies on the beaches,” try saying, “over the next two weeks, I want to put in a good work out session at least every other day.” Give yourself frequent opportunities to re-assess where you’re at and how your fitness is progressing.
Gym Work
A problem many people have, usually men more so than women, is trying to keep up with others in the gym. You see one guy bench pressing 225 pounds and so you feel like you have to do at least 175 in order not to look like a complete chump. This type of competition-minded thinking is awful for progressing your fitness and dangerous for your body. Be honest with yourself and exercise in the same manner that you would if no one was watching. It doesn’t matter how much you can lift or how fast you can run. No one cares what their neighbor in the gym is doing and anyone who does is too much of a tool that you shouldn’t worry about their opinion anyway. There will always be someone bigger, faster, and stronger. Accept this and be comfortable in your own skin.

Go Outside and Run

Simply find a pace that is pleasurable to begin with.  Don't worry about distance and just choose a time to run -- perhaps 30 or 45 minutes.  You will not only have a good workout, but you will feel accomplished.  Oh, make sure you have good running shoes.
Practice Steady  and Moderate Workouts
A very important exercise concept is to pace yourself for the long-haul. It is much, much better to do a moderately intense workout for one hour than a grueling one for fifteen minutes. Pace yourself. Be patient. It is very important not to be in a hurry while you’re in the gym, so provide yourself ample time for exercise. The idea is to engage in a steady, consistent workout that builds and builds and builds over the course of 30-60 minutes leaving you completely exhausted (yet refreshed) at the end. Trying to do too much at the start will burn you out and hinder your physical progression.