INTRODUCTION
If you are reading this then there is a high chance you are into fitness. If you are then you will understand that a big part of fitness is about numbers. Hitting certain weight on lifts, Hitting your calories and/or macros and even steps. However, we are here to tell you that it isn’t all about those numbers. There are many things to look at and focus on other than the numbers.
We are all guilty of it. You want to hit that new Personal Best on Deadlift, so everything goes on hold to get to it. Is this a smart idea? Well, I will let you read through this post and then make up your mind. So why don’t we get started with our first thing you need to focus on other than the numbers. Mental Health!
MENTAL HEALTH
The first one we are going to talk about is, I think, the biggest one of them all! Your mental health. It is ok hitting all these numbers, Lifting big lifts, eating everything down to the gram. However, think about how it is affecting you mentally. Are you happy? Calm? Relax?
If you aren’t maybe it is time to adjust something. Maybe have a break from gym, dieting or something along those lines. With all the images that are spread over Social media and fitness magazines, it is hard to get wrapped up in “what you should look like”. This causes so many people to stress. When they really shouldn’t. Focus on health and happiness and the rest will follow.
PERSONAL & WORKOUT BALANCE
This is a key one if you are working and going to the gym at the same time. Remember to try to find a balance with them both. We have put together a whole blog about this subject (Which you can read here). However, it is important to find a work/gym life balance. Making sure you can put effort into them both.
Anything thing to think about is your Personal life, your social life. Don’t let your life become work, gym, then work and repeat. Make sure to find time for family and friends. I have always found it is better to skip a gym session than skip meeting friends! But you will find something that works for you. Make sure you have a life away from the gym and away from fitness. Don’t let working out, become your life.
ENJOYMENT
Always remember the main reason you should be working out. For fun! Keep it fun! I know this seems like it should be obvious however when people start chasing numbers, tracking every macro they can lose sight of it and it becomes a job or a chore rather than a hobby. It is easy to suck the fun right out of working out. So keep it fun and enjoyable.
How can you do that? Well, remember that it is ok to go off plan (unless you have a comp or something coming up). Have a set workout routine? Well, it’s ok to give something off-plan ago on a certain day! Even try something completely different!.
Remember, unless you are a pro at something and need to go to the gym for it, then gym and working out should be fun and be a hobby. So try to keep it that way. You should look forwards to going to the gym. If you find you aren’t maybe it is time to change it up a little bit.
OVERAL HEALTH
Another key fact to remember is your overall health. Remember that both bulking and dieting have health implications. “Bulking” up to extreme weights will make you stronger and also fill out your t-shirts but also put more strain on your body. With more weight on your joints, the body has to work harder to move. Plus if you put on a lot of sizes you can start to suffer from things like sleep apnea and even high cholesterol. So go steady when bulking.
On the other side, getting lean also has its downfall. Lack of body fat will also have an impact on your joints and your breathing. you will be cold and “frail”. What we are saying is that your average person doesn’t need to be extreme in one or the other (If you are competing, then that is another story), but your normal average, the everyday person should find a happy medium. Somewhere in the middle.
Want to be lean? Well, get down to a comfortable level and then slowly increase calories so that you aren’t starved, but you can still maintain a good level of leanness. Want to bulk? Don’t chase high numbers, try to remain lean and don’t pack on the extra fat just to get the bodyweight up. most importantly is don’t do either one quickly. Both take time and should take time! Slowly is healthy!
CONCLUSION
There you go, four things that are just, if not more important than your numbers at the gym. As we have mentioned above, don’t let the gym become everything. Make sure to have a life outside the gym, outside fitness. Focus on you, focus on your health and your happiness more than your numbers. 100kg Bench won’t help you live longer and be happier!
Have you got anything you want to say about fitness? How about writing a guest article or us? We would love to hear and read some article by you all! If this feels like something you could do, send us a message over on our Contact page. Or Send us a message on our Instagram page. Look forwards to hearing from you all.
Written by Kieran Blacker
Kieran is the CEO and Founder of Sets & Reps. He decided to make an application that helped people get a gym workout when not at the gym. He designed, Coded and built the application himself.