How to Achieve Your Fitness Goals in Four Easy Steps

A lot of us may find that our fitness routines may not be giving us the results that we want. We put in all the time and effort, but the results we want just don’t come. We usually burn out and give up on our fitness routines. However, what if it isn’t our fitness routines fault? What if we are going about achieving our fitness goals in the wrong way? Here we have compiled four easy steps to help you achieve your goals that can easily be incorporated into any fitness routine.

Define your goals

You have to know what you want to accomplish before you start your fitness routine. How would you truly know if you are getting what you want out of your fitness routine, if you did not have something definitive to work towards? Picking your goals may seem easy to most. However, it can be quite difficult. If you say you want to get more toned, get in better shape or to run faster, how do you know when you have truly accomplished these? You want to make your goal more definitive, such as losing twenty pounds or lifting ten more pounds. If you want to push yourself even harder you could also try adding a time limit to your goal. However, you do not want to push yourself too far too fast because you do not want to set yourself up for failure. Also on the flip side you do not want to make your goals too easy to reach. You may become bored and slack off if you go this route.

Devise a plan

Once you decide on your goals, you need to devise a fool proof plan to ensure that you can achieve everything you want out of your fitness routine. You can not just run around the gym whenever you feel like it doing whatever you want because you will end up getting nowhere. Your routine will need more structure than this. You should SCHEDULE THE DAYS when you plan to exercise. No need to worry about which muscle group you will focus on each time you workout, because your 9Round Trainer will tell you exactly what to do every day you come in! This way you can ensure that you are getting a well rounded fitness routine. It is also important to take the time out of your day to plan your meals. You want to have the proper diet to go along with your well rounded fitness routine in order to get the best results possible. Don’t sabotage all your good efforts in the gym with bad nutrition habits. Follow your 9Round Nutrition to a tee!

Make it a habit

Once you get past the planning stage, you should find yourself making better habits and getting rid of any of your old bad habits. Once you plan so many trips to the gym or a certain time you like to workout, you should find your body is automatically preparing itself for your workout ahead of time. You may even find yourself heading to the gym without even thinking about it. You should also be looking forward to eating your healthier meals and not craving the junk food you use to eat as much. These cravings will still be there but not as often or as strong as before. Eventually you will go grocery shopping and head straight for your healthier foods and skip the junk aisle all together.

Hold yourself accountable

It is up to you to achieve your goals. You can not blame anyone else. You need to find a way to hold yourself accountable. Some people can not go it alone and feel more apt to exercise if they have a partner depending on them. Most people need the structure of a fitness center or the help of a personal trainer to get them to stick to their fitness routines. Most people also cannot afford a personal trainer every day! 9Round includes your trainer at no extra charge. Motivation out the yang! All you have to do is show up! How’s that for a solution?

It can be frustrating trying to reach your goals and seeing little or no progress. However, you have to stick to it. As long as you set reasonable goals, devise a plan you can easily stick to and understand that it is going to take time to see the results that you want, you will succeed. Just remember that even though it may take a while to see the results that you want, in the long run it will definitely be worth it.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/how-to-achieve-your-fitness-goals-in-four-easy-steps/

9Round Folsom Featured on Good Day Sacramento

9Round Folsom has only been open for a little over a month, but they were still able to snag a spot on the local news. Good Day Sacramento did a very interesting piece on 9Round Folsom to help spread the word about 9Round and their unique fitness routine to the members of their community. 9Round Folsom is the first 9Round to open in the Sacramento area, so the local news wanted to help them get the word out to the people in their town and answer any questions they might have about 9Round’s fitness routine. They did a live video feed from the gym of real 9Round Folsom members going through a normal 9Round fitness routine and interviewed the owner of 9Round Folsom Victoria Williams.

This video is a great way for anyone, not just people in 9Round Folsom, to see a real example of what a 9Round fitness routine is all about. You can see how convenient our circuit training format is and how it can work your entire body in only thirty minutes. You also get to witness a few of the exercises that we use on a daily basis and how we incorporate many different extras, such as the heart rate monitor, personal trainer and our online nutritional guide, into your fitness routine to help you get the results that you want fast. Good Day Sacramento even states that the 9Round fitness routine is designed to be fast and challenging with a pinch of killer fun so that members stay engaged while getting into the best shape ever, and I am sure that if you ask any 9Round member they would agree.

9Round Folsom is currently running a special for the first 100 members that sign up for 12 months to only pay $49 a month. That is an average savings of up to $30 a month. They would love to see you take advantage of this special and try out your own 9Round fitness routine. All 9Rounds offer you a free first time trial workout, so why not try it? What do you have to lose, besides fat? Check out the locations webpage at 9Round.com to find a gym near you.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-folsom-featured-on-good-day-sacramento-2/

9Round Earns a 5 Star Review

Great news 9Round Nation, we just earned a five star review from Laura Williams. She is a writer for the About.com Alternative Fitness site. She wants her readers to know that fitness does not have to be a monotonous or tortuous experience. She keeps busy by investigating new fitness trends that will keep her readers excited about fitness, and 9Round was one of the places she decided to visit. She loved the 9Round fitness routine and is even quoted as saying, “the 30-minute boxing and kickboxing circuit may have kicked my butt, but it left me wanting more. “

The right trends at the right time

Mrs. Williams also felt that 9Round is hitting all the right trends at just the right time. Currently the fitness industry has seen a huge demand for kickboxing classes. It is not just a man’s sport anymore. In fact, in most classes the women outnumber the men four to one. They love the feeling of empowerment kickboxing gives them and the quick results. Shorter, circuit style and high-intensity fitness routines are also hugely popular right now, which is basically the foundation of a 9Round fitness routine. Most people love the fact that they can get quick results while not spending as much time in the gym. It is a great way for many to fit a fitness routine into their busy schedule and still get the results that they want.

What Mrs. Williams loved about 9Round

There are many reasons Laura Williams fell in love with the 9Round fitness routine. She likes that there is always a trainer with you that plans and walks you through each of your workouts. It is great to have someone there to ensure that you are performing each move properly and cheer you on. 9Round’s trainers can easily slow or speed up the pace or add in extras to your workouts to make it appropriately fit your fitness level and help you quickly achieve the results that you want. The workouts are only thirty minutes long and there are no class times. You do not have to worry about scheduling in a definite time for your workout. Any time you have an extra thirty minutes you can just walk in and hop on at the next station.

Things you should know

Mrs. Williams reminds her readers to remember that 9Round is a franchise, and while the system is developed at corporate headquarters, there may be a few differences at each independent franchise. The owners and the trainers of each gym are different, and they may have some different effects on your visit. You may prefer one trainers style over another. However, on the plus side, since 9Round IS a franchise, you can rest assured that you are most likely getting the same workout quality at all locations, since each owner goes through an intense four day Training Camp, learning how to correctly operate their location before they open. When we are focusing on our health and fitness needs, we want to feel comfortable and sure that the person we are dealing with is highly certified and qualified to teach our fitness program.

Overall, Mrs. Williams found the 9Round fitness routine to be fun and effective and fully worth her five star review. She recalls being exhausted after each round, but because she was constantly moving and trying new exercises throughout her workout, the burning in her muscles was just a little bit easier for her to take. If you would like to find out more about Mrs. Williams’ 9Round experience feel free to read her entire article here.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-earns-a-5-star-review/

What Is the Most Difficult Part of Exercising at the Gym

We all want to look and feel better, and we know the best way to do this is through exercising and maintaining a proper diet. So, why is it so hard for us to visit the gym, and yet so easy for us to make up a million excuses to avoid the gym? It can be a scary and overwhelming place for many fitness newbies, but we need to conquer these fears and do what is best for us. We need to look down deep and find the motivation and the willpower to stick with our fitness routine.

Get through those doors

The hardest part of most people’s fitness routine is walking through those gym doors. It can be hard to find the time in today’s hectic world to schedule and set aside the time needed to workout. We tend to use any excuse we can to say that we are too busy to workout today, like kids, jobs or even our social lives. However, you know you need to workout to stay healthy, so you need to schedule the time needed to go and stick with that schedule. It may help to remember the reason you decided to spend money on a gym membership in the first place. What were your goals for starting a fitness routine? Was it to lose weight, tone your body, build muscle, improve your health or recover from an injury? Whatever the reason may be, you need to get through those gym doors to achieve it.

Sometimes the reason that front door weighs 1,000 lbs and is so hard to get through is simple: FEAR. You might just be terrified that working out is going to be too hard or too embarrassing!

The solution, 9Round style:

At 9Round, we try to make our fitness centers seem like a nightclub without the drinks! Can you say, “fat burning partayyyyyy?!”  The music is pumping and our certified 9Round trainers are your own personal team of cheerleaders. We want you to know you are welcome here and will work with you to give you a fitness routine tailored to your fitness level and your goals. The best part is that we do not have any class times. We use a circuit training fitness routine that allows us to start a new workout every three minutes. This means that our members can stop by any time during business hours and begin their fitness routine. Another major advantage of 9Round is that we can give you a complete body workout in only thirty minutes. Our fitness routines are intense and can burn up to 500 calories in one thirty minute session. You are guaranteed to see the results you want, fast. Any time you have an extra thirty minutes to spare feel free to stop by and experience a free trial workout.

It may not be easy starting a new fitness routine, but here’s a secret: if you’ll give it two weeks of consistency, your body will actually start to CRAVE it! Promise! So, stop using all these excuses and get over all your fears. You need to get through those gym doors and start making yourself a better you. If you are interested in visiting a 9Round fitness center, you should go to their website to find a location near you.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/what-is-the-most-difficult-part-of-exercising-at-the-gym/

9Round Moves Into Apex, NC

9Round has just made its way into Apex, NC. On June 16th 9Round Apex officially opened its doors, and the Apex community couldn’t be any happier. In the first three days of opening they already had a huge group of charter members. Conveniently located at 774 West Williams Street Apex, NC 27502 in the Haddon Hall Shopping Center, the new owner Benji Wall is expecting a lot of foot traffic and many more members in the near future.

Experience you can rely on

Benji Wall, the new owner of 9Round Apex, has been in the fitness business for over 10 years and has been a certified personal trainer and group fitness trainer since 2004. Her first job in the fitness industry was with Peak Fitness, and later she worked for Gold’s Gym. As one of the top trainers in the area for Peak she learned a lot about what it takes to be the best. She then decided to branch out on her own and began training people from her home. Next in 2007 she started an outdoor boot camp. She is currently a board member of multiple non-profit organizations like C.H.A.N.G.E Athletics among others that are dedicated to getting people healthy one person at a time. Now she is excited for the opportunity to help the community of Apex, NC get fit 9Round style and hopes to open even more 9Rounds in the Apex community.

A one of a kind routine

9Round Apex offers our members a unique and fast paced workout that is guaranteed to give you the results that you want fast. We combine boxing and kickboxing techniques to give you a full body workout in only thirty minutes. Our routine is centered around nine different stations that last for three minutes each. This circuit training format allows us to offer our members a fitness routine with no class times. You can come by any time you are free and jump in on the next three minute interval. We also welcome all fitness levels. You may be wary of starting a kickboxing fitness routine when you know little or nothing about kickboxing, but at 9Round we’ve got you covered. Our certified 9Round trainers are with you throughout your workout guiding you through each movement, ensuring that you are working out at your proper fitness level and pushing you to achieve the best results. We are there to help you reach your fitness goals, while ensuring that you do not needlessly injure yourself.

Pricing and specials

You may think that with a personal trainer by your side throughout your workout that you will have to pay a lot to become a member of 9Round Apex; however, this is far from the truth. 9Round believes in giving you a personal trainer without the high costs associated with a personal trainer, so 9Round Apex offers its members unlimited workouts, access to 9Round’s online nutritional guide and a personal trainer for only $49 a month with no enrollment fee. You always get your first trial workout for free, so you can get a sample of what we are about before becoming a member. 9Round Apex is also currently running a two week Fat Blasting Trial and an 8-week Summer Slimdown will start in July. So, hurry in to 9Round Apex and take advantage of these great deals.

If you would like more information on 9Round Apex please stop by our webpage. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact us through our website, come by our location or call us at (919) 526-0973. If you want to stay up to date on all the latest gym news and specials such as, the Fat Blasting Trial and Summer Slimdown, please like our facebook page. We look forward to helping you get fit one hit at a time.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-moves-into-apex-nc/#sthash.q2aId3i5.dpuf

9Round Has Gone International

Great news 9Rounders, we are officially an international company. Our dreams of spreading the 9Round fitness concept to other parts of the world have officially come true. The opening of our first international 9Round in Ontario, Canada is only the beginning. There are many more 9Round fitness centers planned for Canada and Mexico; however, there is no need to worry if you are in Europe or Asia, we plan on seeing you soon too. We are excited to expand and share our unique fitness concepts with not just America and Canada but the entire world.

 

The new owners of 9Round Ontario are thrilled to be the first international 9Round. Danny and Franca Furgiuele are honored to be the first 9Round in Canada and outside of the US. They believe in the 9Round fitness concept and want to share it with the people back in their hometown. They are both from Bolton, Ontario, and this is where they are planning to open their gym. They are still in the planning phase, so you will need to watch their web page to find out their official opening date. It should not be too much longer until the folks in Bolton will be kicking and punching their way to a healthier and more toned body.

If you are interested in owning your own 9Round and bringing your community a unique and effective fitness routine check out our franchise web page. There you will find many answers to your questions and how to begin the journey of owning your own 9Round.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-has-gone-international/

9Round Folsom Is Ready to Get You in Shape

9Round Folsom opened on May 12th and is ready to help you achieve all of your fitness goals. They are conveniently located in the Folsom Central shopping center directly across from the Folsom Aquatic Center at 1157 Riley Street, Folsom, Ca. 95630. The new owners Nathan and Victoria Williams are no strangers to 9Round’s unique fitness routine and jumped at the chance to bring 9Round’s fitness concept to their very own community. Nathan even states that nothing out there can compare to 9Round’s fitness routine. It is extremely effective and convenient.

The routine

9Round features a thirty minute kickboxing fitness routine centered around a circuit training format. There are nine challenging stations that last for three minutes each. Because of this circuit training format, you do not have to schedule any class times. A new workout begins every three minutes, and the best part is you get a personal trainer to guide you through every step of your workout. So, there is no need to worry if you have little or no experience. Our certified 9Round trainers are there to help you stay within your fitness level and achieve your fitness goals in the shortest amount of time possible.

9Round Folsom

The owners of 9Round Folsom are both fitness oriented. Nathan has worked for over 23 years in the medical field and was a distance runner in high school and college. He is loving the way 9Round has gotten him back in shape. Victoria has always had a passion for people and fitness, which is the perfect combination for a 9Round owner. She has had major success in her own weight loss journey, losing over sixty pounds. They can not wait to see how much they can grow 9Round Folsom and establish their brand name, and hopefully, in the future they plan on opening locations in Rocklin, Elk Grove and Natomas.

The worth of a 9Round fitness routine

A 9Round fitness routine includes many extras. You get access to unlimited workouts each month that are supervised by our certified 9Round trainers. You get access to our online nutritional guide, which gives you access to our online nutritionist, meal plans based on your body type and healthy recipes. We are now offering heart rate monitors to help you get into your best fitness zone. So, you may be thinking that with all the extras, especially your own personal trainer, that you will have to pay an arm and a leg to join 9Round. Well, this is definitely not true. 9Round Folsom even has an opening special running right now, the first 100 people to sign up with a 12 month commitment will only have to pay $99 for the first month and $49 a month thereafter. Regular pricing with a 12 month commitment is normally $99 the first month and then $69 a month or without the 12 month commitment $99 the first month and $79 each additional month.

9Round Folsom is waiting to hear from you and wants you to know that the first trial workout is always free. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to stop by our website, you can contact us there or stop by our fitness center and we will be more than happy to help you. You can also call us at (916)235-4006. If you would like to stay up to date on any current gym news, specials or contests please like our facebook page. We look forward to helping you get fit one hit at a time.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-folsom-is-ready-to-get-you-in-shape/

Club Solutions Magazine Gets Ringside with Shannon Hudson and 9Round

Club Solutions recently got up close and personal with Shannon Hudson, founder and CEO of 9Round Fitness. The article is based on how Hudson grew up with a martial arts background that helped him develop the idea behind 9Round and kept him focused on successfully bringing his fitness concept to the public. The writers state that Hudson is the king of kickboxing and is knocking out all of his company’s competition. However, in the beginning the company seemed to be a difficult uphill climb that Hudson states was fueled by his own desire and fighter mentality of never giving up.

The climb

In 2008 Hudson came up with the idea for 9Round and decided to pitch the concept to big box gyms, but they were having no part of 9Round in their big fancy gyms. They basically laughed at him and dismissed the idea. That is when he decided the best option would be to lease a small retail space. He had to beg and borrow money from friends because he was recently married and had recently maxed out all his credit cards. He did everything he could to get 9Round up and running. There wasn’t even money for a sign out front. All they had was a banner, but within the first month they had signed up one hundred members. That was when the franchise idea popped into Hudson’s head. It would be an excellent way to grow his company. He again borrowed more money and filled out all the necessary paperwork. 9Round was now on track to becoming a franchise.

Growth spurt

In 2009 9Round opened its first franchise, and it was actually to a 9Round member. It feels great to be able to grow a company from the inside out, and inside growth is mainly how the company got started. Mostly members and trainers wanted to take their knowledge of how effective and successful a 9Round fitness routine was and share it with others. In 2010 they opened nine more stores, and in 2011 seventeen more stores were added. 9Round was on a roll. Along came 2012 and 9Round opened 45 stores. After the 45 stores opened, Entrepreneur Magazine took notice and put 9Round on its Top 500 Franchises list. In 2013 9Round opened its 100th store and hasn’t looked back. Since then the company has shown no signs of slowing down.

Success

Hudson has seen his company grow from one tiny retail spot without a sign to over 100 locations countrywide. He has also gained a new partner, Peter Taunton. The rapid growth and the unique fitness concept were what caught the eye of the Lift Brands founder. Taunton wanted to buy the entire 9Round name, but Hudson could not part with his baby. They now work together, which is great for Hudson because Taunton already owns over 1400 stores worldwide. Hudson even stated, “why not partner with someone who has been there and knows more than I do?” Hudson currently has eight people in his corporate office in Greenville, South Carolina, but through the Lift Brands’ partnership in Minnesota he has gained many more that he can lean on for marketing, legal, mapping, contracting, compliance and sales, which can be a major boost in the competitive fitness industry.

It is amazing how fast Hudson was able to grow 9Round, especially in the beginning with very little start up money. However, he relied heavily on his fighter’s instinct and kept pushing. Luckily, he is very competitive and didn’t back down in the beginning. He now owns one of the fastest growing fitness franchises in the US and is looking to go worldwide soon. He is proud of all his accomplishments and is honored to know that his fitness concept is helping so many people achieve their fitness goals. If you would like to read about Shannon Hudson’s and 9Round’s background you can find the Club Solutions article here.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/club-solutions-magazine-gets-ringside-with-shannon-hudson-and-9round/

9Round Opens a Second Location in Colorado Springs

As of June 9th Colorado Springs has a new reason to be happy. There is a second 9Round open in the Colorado Springs community. 9Round Centennial is located at 4730 Centennial Blvd, Suite 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80919. It is on the west side of Centennial Blvd., and you can reach us by turning into the 7-11 parking lot. We are in the shopping center right next to Tide Cleaners. The new owner of 9Round Centennial Kaye Baron, is also the owner of the other 9Round in Colorado Springs on South Tejon, so she is no stranger when it comes to knowing what all is needed to run a successful 9Round fitness center.

9Round Centennial’s fitness routine

Our fitness routine is based on techniques from boxing and kickboxing. We use a circuit training format that features nine challenging stations that last for three minutes each. This circuit training format is beneficial in helping us eliminate class times. A new workout starts every three minutes, so whenever you walk in you can start your routine within three minutes. We welcome all ages and fitness levels. I know many of you may be afraid or worried if you have no experience boxing or kickboxing, but there is no need to worry. Each and every workout you have will be overseen by our certified 9Round trainers. They are with you every step of the way making sure that you do not step too far out of your comfort zone and demonstrating the proper way to perform each movement.

All of the extras

9Round prides itself on our customer service. We want to do everything possible to help you achieve your fitness goals. This is why we give you a personal trainer with every workout without the high costs associated with most gyms. However, we want to take you a few steps closer to meeting your fitness goals. We offer all of our members access to our online nutritionist and an online nutritional guide. Our Nutrition Coach, Dr. Kattouf, is available to answer any questions you may have about your diet, and our online nutritional guide will give you free access to healthy recipes and meal plans based on your body type. This is just one more way 9Round likes to kick start your weight loss journey.

One affordable price

I know you must be thinking that with all these extras you just can not afford to become a 9Round member. However, a 9Round fitness routine is very reasonably priced. With all the extras and unlimited workouts each month 9Round Centennial is only $49 per month. This is a great deal, but then 9Round Centennial wants to add something special to the pot. If you join 9Round Centennial or the South Tejon location, you have the unique opportunity to become a member of not one but two 9Round fitness centers. That is right, the new owner Kaye Baron, will let you visit either one of her locations whenever you sign up at one. You can visit whichever location is more convenient for you at the moment, which can be a great deal for some of our busier members.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop by either location to take advantage of these great deals, and remember the first trial workout is always free. If you have any questions about 9Round Centennial’s fitness routine or your free workout feel free to stop by our website or our location. You can also call us at 719-528-6005, and we will be more than happy to help you. Please like our facebook page to stay up to date on any gym news, specials or contests. We look forward to meeting you and can’t wait to help you get in shape for the summer.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/9round-opens-a-second-location-in-colorado-springs/

Augusta, GA Has Its Very Own 9Round

9Round Evans opened on May 23rd just in time for Memorial Day and the official start of bikini season. We are located at 4446 Washington Road, Evans, GA 30809, which is directly across the street from the Evans Walmart in the “Shoppes at Camelot” shopping center just a few doors down from Shane’s Rib Shack. 9Round Evans had a few contests pre-opening, but we are planning a huge grand opening event with the local chamber of commerce, so please watch the 9Round Evans’ facebook page for any updates.

The Evans team

The new owners of 9Round Evans are no strangers to fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. Sharon Mudd became a member of 9Round ATL-Decatur in August of 2013. She is a lifelong athlete, who has played basketball and volleyball at the collegiate level and has trained and taught martial arts for fourteen years. She has even coached basketball and lacrosse from the elementary to high school level. Sharon’s sister and partner Melissa Mudd-Sebek also has a background in training and teaching martial arts and was a member of the navy. She even set her own weight loss goal two years ago that lead to her losing 65 pounds and several dress sizes. She believes that if she can do it anyone can. Melissa’s husband Tony Sebek is also their partner. He has served in the army for 22 years and just like his partners fell in love with the 9Round fitness routine.

A 9Round workout

9Round combines techniques from boxing and kickboxing with fast-paced fun exercises to provide a unique fitness experience that gives you unprecedented results. We give our clients a full body workout centered around nine different stations that last for three minutes each. In only thirty minutes you will be sweating and burning fat like never before. You do not need any sort of kickboxing experience to become a 9Round member because our certified 9Round trainers will be with you every step of the way. Our trainers will walk you through each and every one of your workouts and tailor them to fit your needs. This is the type of workout that grows with you! 9Round also offers all its clients unlimited monthly workouts, a heart monitor to help you get in your proper fitness zone and an online nutritionist that can answer your questions, plan your meals and give you access to healthy recipes. So, you must be wondering, how much do all this cost? Not as much as you would think. At 9Round Evans you can get access to all this for only $49 a month, and the first trial workout is always free.

If you want to learn more about 9Round Evans please stop by our web page. If you have any questions or concerns about 9Round Evans and our fitness routine please feel free to stop by our location, contact us through our web page or call us at 706-250-5222. We will be more than happy to answer all of your questions. If you want to stay up to date on all of our current gym news, contests and our upcoming grand opening please like us on facebook. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve the body of your dreams.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/augusta-ga-has-its-very-own-9round/

My Top 5 Motivational Fitness Tips

We have all been there. There are just days or weeks or maybe even months that we can not seem to drag ourselves off of the couch to go workout. It happens to everyone every now and then. So, how do we overcome these feelings? It is, of course, different for everyone because we are all motivated by different things. We are going to take a look at some of the more common techniques people use, and you can decide for yourself if they will work for you.

1. Keep a fitness log. You can not measure your success based on the scale alone. If you keep a fitness log, you will be able to see every type of achievement you make, such as working out for longer periods of time without getting breathless, making time to visit the gym more often and being able to lift more weight. You can also keep track of your eating habits and body measurements.You may drop a dress size or two and not lose any weight, so this can be a real big deal to a lot of us. However, you have to be diligent in filling out your fitness log.
2. Never compare yourself to others. Everyone of us is different. We all come in different shapes and sizes. We can not change the fact that some of us may be skinnier or taller than others or that they can workout longer or lift more weight than us. Besides, in a gym everyone is working out at a different fitness level, so you do not know how long or how hard some else may have been working on their body. The best thing to do in this situation is to focus on yourself. Pay attention to the changes in your body and your fitness routine, and you will be much happier.
3. Find a friend. It may help you stay on track if you have someone else encouraging you or depending on you. You could create a nice support team for each other. As I said before, we all have those days when we do not feel like working out, but if you have a friend waiting for you at the gym most of us would feel more inclined to go. It could also make a monotonous fitness routine a little bit more fun if you know someone else will be there with you going through the same thing.
4. Make it fun. Of course, you do not want to get up off the couch if you are doing the same old thing over and over. You need to switch it up and add a little excitement to your fitness routine. You also do not want your body getting use to your fitness routine. You will almost always stop seeing results if this happens. There are many different fitness options out there if you are getting bored. You could try kickboxing, crossfit, dancing, rock climbing or water aerobics. The options are endless. If you choose something you are interested in doing then you will start looking forward to your fitness routines.
5. Have a little patience. This can be extremely difficult for most of us, but you need to remember the saying Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is also true for your fitness routine and your body. You can not expect to see major results after your first few workouts. It may take multiple trips to the gym before you start seeing any results. However, you need to remain consistent and stick with your fitness routine if you want to achieve your goals.

Going to the gym can seem to be a daunting task for many of us. Hopefully some of these tips can help you stick to your fitness routine. You will never know if you do not try them, right?

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/my-top-5-motivational-fitness-tips/

Fitness Quotes: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

When we go on any of the multiple social media sites out there, we are sure to come across people posting about their fitness routine with a cute little fitness quote added to it. These cute little quotes are meant to either inspire or shame us into achieving a better body, but what if you come across a quote that you just don’t agree with or really upsets you. It can be frustrating working out every day and trying to compare yourself to others. It is important to never let anyone make you feel bad about your fitness habits if you are truly giving it your all. Today I will look at some of the more popular and destructive quotes out there and give you my two cents on them.

1. “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” Kate Moss made this saying popular. However, I would venture to say that her eating and fitness habits are not all that great. Besides, is my goal to be bony and skinny? Not really….how about healthy , toned & happy?  Never get too extreme, because that is when you really start losing ground in your fitness routine.
2. “Push past the pain.” You have to know your limits and how far you can push without injuring yourself. If you feel a little tired or sore the next day, you can be sure you did a good job at working those muscles, and you need time to let them heal before you push that hard again. However, if you are in hunched over I can’t ever move again pain, you know you went way too far past your limits. You can easily hurt yourself if you do not know the difference. Pain is your body’s way of telling you to ease off a little, and if you ignore this signal, you may find yourself missing a few workout routines or even worse visiting your doctor. So, be careful and when your body sends you signals, pay attention.
3. “No excuses.” Does this mean you always have to workout? There are actually many times when you should not workout. You could be sick or injured or just plain tired. It feels good to take a break every now and then, especially if it will help you stick to your fitness routine. Many people like to give themselves a reward day or time off from their fitness routine to help ease the monotony of doing the same thing over and over. Your body may not always feel like exercising, and it is your decision if you do not feel healthy enough to exercise that day or if you feel as if you deserve a little break.

Fitness quotes are all in fun, but I would hate for someone to have unrealistic ideas or even hurt themselves because of one misleading quote. You need to remember to consult your doctor or personal trainer if you want to know the cold hard facts and never take a social media quote as face value. These quotes are meant to be fun and cute not all of them seem to be the perfect fitness advice.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/fitness-quotes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

How to Play It Safe in the Summer Sun

You can feel it in the air. Summer is almost here, and soon everyone will be enjoying the outside world once again. Many of us may even take our fitness routines outside to enjoy the weather and the scenery. We can start swimming and hiking again, not to mention running and walking outside is now an option. While there are many benefits to getting some sun, you need to ensure that you do not get too much. There is a very thin line between a good amount of sun and too much sun, and you need to understand how much you can tolerate before you actually do your body some major harm.

Get the recommended amount

It is actually good to get some sun. We can get Vitamin D from the sun, which can help boost our immune system and bone strength. The sun gives us energy, which can also help us achieve a better night’s sleep. It also helps us with our mood because it increases the amount of serotonin, one of the body’s feel good hormones. It comes as no surprise that there are rehabs available for people who seem to be addicted to sun bathing these days. The sun can make your mind, body and spirit feel so much better. Most researchers believe that you should get about fifteen minutes of sun a day without sunscreen, but be careful that you do not overdo it.

Pick the proper sunscreen

You need to pick a sunscreen that will block UVA and UVB rays. These may also be labeled as broad-spectrum UV coverage. You may also need to choose a sunscreen that is waterproof or sweatproof depending on what you are doing. You should look for a sunscreen that contains zinc and also check the label to make sure that the sunscreen does not have any chemicals or other ingredients you may be allergic to. You should try to stay away from sunscreens that contain Vitamin A and PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) because they are harmful for your skin.

Make sure you get every spot

It is easy to forget to put sunscreen on certain parts of our bodies. I would always forget to put it on the tops of my feet, and you know what would happen. My feet would be the only spot sunburned. The most common spots that people seem to miss are the ears, scalp and lips. Many doctors feel as if this may be one of the major reasons we are seeing a rise in skin cancer cases. If you are going to need sunscreen it is best to remember to buy some sort of lip balm with an SPF factor of at least thirty and some sunscreen spray for your scalp. If you do not want to spray your scalp you could try wearing a hat when you go out.

 

Stay hydrated

Anytime you spend a prolonged period of time in the sun you need to stay hydrated. You have to make sure you drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated. It can be a frightening experience if you become dehydrated and will most certainly ruin your fun and relaxing day. There are many symptoms you should look out for, such as becoming dizzy, being unable to breathe or fainting. So, in order to enjoy your time in the sun always have water at hand to avoid these symptoms.

It can be fun being able to go out and enjoying the nice summer weather. However, you need to remember to play it safe and take special precautions when you are in the sun and high heat. It could put a damper on any type of event you are planning and cause serious problems in the long run. Just remember to play it safe while you are enjoying your outside summer routines.

- See more at: http://www.9round.com/blog/how-to-play-it-safe-in-the-summer-sun/