The diet solution program: Are you just wasting time at the gym?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Are you just wasting time at the gym?

There's nothing worse than wasted time. I'm all for rest and relaxation, but doing something just for the sake of doing it when there is a way to do it much more efficiently is just plain annoying. This goes for almost every element in my life: work, cleaning, shopping, and most definitely exercising.

When it comes to my workouts, I've gotten into this great routine where I follow one fitness program for 6-8 weeks and then switch to a new one for another 6-8 weeks. One of the biggest mistakes I had made in the past was getting into a rut where I was doing the same old exercises for weeks and months on end. Actually, it wasn't that I was in a rut. I just thought those particular exercises were good, so I would stick to them, but was left wondering, after just a few weeks why my program had stopped showing me any results.

The reality is, you must keep your body and your muscles guessing all the time (What will this crazy girl do to me today?). You also must keep your exercises fresh so your body will continue to show you the results you want. I don't know about you, but after a few weeks, my mind is also ready for a change. If we are committed to exercising for a lifetime, we have to keep it new and interesting, right?

When I'm looking for a workout program, I've got to tell you, I don't have to search very far. Every week I receive tons of new workout programs from different fitness professionals around the world asking me to read their stuff. Am I the #1 authority on fitness? No, probably not. I know there are many people out there that know much more than I do when it comes to fitness. One thing I am, though, is BRUTALLY honest (and yes, brutally in my sweet Isabel way). I do no one any good by telling them a program is good when it really isn't, so I always keep it real. Comprende?

Here's the brutal honest truth: when I decided to read Jon Benson's 7 Minute Muscle, I was already thinking this guy must be nuts. What in the world was I going to accomplish in 7 minutes? Put my gym clothes on? Set up my IPOD? Clearly he didn't mean my workout would take 7 minutes (or did he?).

After reading all 83 pages of this book (in a row, I just couldn't put the thing down) I knew this guy was on to something great and decided I would have to try it out for myself. He had touched upon aspects and elements of a fitness program I had never even considered or better yet, I had never heard anyone talk about before.

Specifically, Jon does an incredible job of explaining the power of your mind and how it plays a vital role in the results you achieve. No, he did not get all quantum physics on me and say I needed to hypnotize myself, but the mental component of your workout can truly be the difference between seeing results or not. I'm convinced.

The next step was putting the workouts into action. I performed the workouts exactly as he outlined and my legs were literally shaking...yes, 7 minutes later! I almost felt guilty, like "Shouldn't I be doing more?" The next day I did the same but this time I focused on shoulders. Again, great workout in a quarter of the time I'm used to.

Back to being brutally honest... I did change up a few of the exercises as I am not a huge fan of machine training. I think many exercises can be better performed with dumbbells and barbells, especially if you're like me and workout at home. Luckily, Jon's workouts allowed me that flexibility.

I can tell you this though, I couldn't believe the soreness I felt in muscles that hadn't been sore in some time. I guess I was amazed because I had accomplished this in such a limited amount of time. Hmmm...how come no one told me about this sooner?

If you are one of those people that just doesn't know how they can possibly fit exercise into their already jam packed schedule, this program is for you. Or, if you are like me and always looking for new and challenging ways to get in a great workout, Jon's Program may change the way you think about working out forever.

Check out Jon's program for yourself at http://7minutemuscles.thedsp.info/

As always, make sure to keep me updated on your progress and I will definitely keep you updated on mine.

In health and happiness,

Isabel De Los Rios
Certified Nutritionist
Certified Exercise Specialist
Author of The Diet Solution Program
www.TheDietSolutionProgram.com

Please post your comments and check out my previous newsletters at my blog here: Isabel's Blog

Interact with other members of the Diet Solution family here: DSP Facebook