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3 Reasons Your Workouts Aren’t Working

Working out but aren’t seeing the results you’d like? Brett Hoebel has a possible reason why. Okay, three possible reasons why— plus easy solutions — in today’s guest post!

Woman sleeping on an exercise bike after training

1. Too Many Hours in the Gym

You probably think working out longer and harder is the end all be all to losing weight and that endless hours on the cardio machines or back-to-back aerobic classes are the panacea for burning fat — but research is now showing the opposite. Working out for extended periods of time and too often can be detrimental to the body on many levels. The body can respond to this extended physical stress by producing large amounts of a stress hormone called cortisol. Overproduction of cortisol can lead to fat production and adrenal fatigue, which can reduce your energy. You also do not get the “after burn” effect of burning calories after you work out from doing long aerobic training workouts.

2. Lack of Food Consciousness

Nutrition is more than 50 percent of the work, and the right eating habits will bring you the real results. After all, “you cannot out-train a bad diet.” For weight-loss or muscle gain, exercise is good, but nutrition plays a much bigger role. On average, people who partake in a regular exercise routine work out about three times a week. Yet, if you think about how many times a day you put food in your mouth (probably around six times per day (or 40 times per week), you might have a better understanding of the importance of balancing the two. You constantly have to make “good” food choices and be aware of everything you are putting into your body.

3. Consistency

There are two major reasons for lack of consistency in exercise. The No. 1 reason people don’t work out? “I don’t have enough time.” The second is that they do not have enough of an emotional connection to WHY they are exercising. Without an emotional connection, you will just be going through the motions and therefore will not make exercising a high priority when life throws challenges at you. Putting a calendar event in your iPhone is not enough of a connection and you will allow other things to take priority over your health, and thus the importance of fitness falls to the wayside. Staying the course of your fitness plan and making YOU and your health the priority will improve every aspect of your life.

3 Easy Solutions

Fitness: Do shorter, more intense workouts. I found that 20 minutes was the “sweet spot” for most people — because it’s easier to fit 20 minutes into your schedule and you won’t “burn out” or lose consistency (everyone has at least 20 minutes in their day to spare). Consistency is the key to seeing results, and results are self-motivating! An additional perk to shorter workouts is that when people know they don’t have to work out for as long, they train more intensely in 20 minutes. This results in something experts like to call, High Intensity Interval Training (short, intense workouts) that offers our bodies something called the “after-burn” effect, which helps our metabolism skyrocket and enables us to burn calories even AFTER we are done working out. For instant access to one of Brett’s 20-minute HIIT workouts, click here.

Brett's workouts kick butt. Literally.

Brett’s workouts kick butt. Literally.

Nutrition: Finding quick, easy recipes that don’t involve a lot of ingredients or prep time are crucial to propelling you on your mission towards greater health. The simpler the meals, the better for you — with less processed ingredients and foods — your body will thank you. I’m no chef, but I’ve personally focused on finding and developing recipes that take me 20 minutes or less to make. From breakfast, lunch, dinner and yes, even desserts, I think it’s important you find quick and clean recipes for every meal of the day. For instant access to Brett’s quick, clean cooking recipes, click here.

Mindset: If you think you don’t have enough time to work out, I know you have 20 minutes to spare. So cut down your workouts and cut down your reasons why you can’t work out. To help create an emotional connection to your fitness, try creating a mantra to help find your WHY. Post it to your social media or put it somewhere you are going to see every morning or at work. To receive one of Brett’s best Motivation videos and to learn more about his Fitness From Within approach, click here.

How will you make your workout work for you today? —Brett Hoebel

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

3 Comments
  1. Cassie says:

    Love Brett Hoebel! So inspirational and helpful!

  2. Stacey says:

    I sooo love your post. I am guilty with staying too much in the gym whenever I have the chance to do so. I am too busy with work and I can’t find much time to workout at least three times a week. My boyfriend keeps on telling me that I need to MAKE time for it. LOL

  3. Shana Garrett says:

    The time issue is far more than 20 minutes a day. No matter when you use those 20 minutes to exercise, you then have to bathe, and dress for the day if you do it in the morning …or bathe and try to sleep right after an intense workout in the evening. I just said to hell with my current routine and started waking up very early…430-5 am everyday to exercise, do yoga, or go for a run. I did the same thing when I was in the army, but they picked the time, the routine, and gave us time to bathe and get ready… Doing it for myself took a little self control. I thought I would be tired during the day, but I actually feel more energetic and less hungry and I sleep better (fall asleep easier, at a more reasonable time, and stay asleep) I even wake up before the alarm! I need to bathe, and take the time to dress, do my hair, put on my face…I can’t just show up to lecture smelling like B.O. And wearing my gym clothes. I know people who do, and believe this, your cologne is NOT sufficient.

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