|
Just like routines, this document is not intended to be a "one size fits all."
Take from it what you will, but please remember that what is most important is
your health and well being. In that light, consider the following list:
1. Before beginning any serious weight lifting or body building regimen, consult
your physician.
2. Set your goals. Define what you expect to achieve with your new bodybuilding
campaign within a realistic time frame. If you create goals that are
unattainable you are setting yourself up for failure. You can become bored,
disappointed and disillusioned to the point where you may give up. This is a
very sad outcome to what might have been the best decision of your life. Don't
sell yourself short. Set your long term goals, of course, but also set short
term goals that are achievable. And, don't forget to reward yourself when you
do achieve them.
3. Consider the costs. If you don't already have a budget, create one. Then,
determine what amount of discretionary funds you have available for your
bodybuilding program. This will determine whether you can afford to have a home
gym or if your needs would better be served by joining a club. Joining a club
is still a good short term introduction before spending hundreds or thousands
of dollars on equipment that might not be appropriate for your needs.
4. Don't forget some of the low cost alternatives to purchasing your
bodybuilding equipment. If used equipment is still functional why spend the
extra dollars just for a little glitz! Good, brand name used equipment is every
bit as functional as something right off a showroom floor.
5. Consider combining a home gym along with a membership in a public facility.
Purchase less expensive free weight equipment for use at home and join a gym to
have access to the more expensive equipment. You can design your entire workout
routines around a combination such as this.
6. Eat healthy! This can't be stressed enough. The only true bodybuilding aids
are good nutrition. Consult a licensed dietician. Watch your local community
calendar for free seminars on diet and nutrition. Learn all you can about what
nature freely provides that can help you to develop a healthy diet.
7. If you choose to use dietary supplements, make certain that you know what you
are putting in your body. Follow the packaging guidelines we outlined above.
Ask your physician for his/her recommendations based on the regimen you have
selected. No friend, coach or acquaintance can take the place of your
physician. In fact, you may even investigate finding a physician who
specializes in sports wellness.
8. Be kind to yourself. Yes, it's important to push to achieve your goals, but
it's very easy to tip the scales in the other direction and create a nightmare
for yourself.Obsessive, compulsive behaviors are not conducive to a healthy
bodybuilding lifestyle.
I wish you a healthy and happy journey on your road to weightlifting and
bodybuilding. Put the suggestions and recommendations to work and you are well
on the way to building the body you can be proud of!
Tony
Newton publishes the popular health and wellnesswebsite - http://www.1st-for-health.comWith
lots of informative articles on low carb diets, hair loss, arthritis
pain relief, acne and lots more.
|
