Getting in shape means a lot of things to different people. This is true even within similar sporting communities; a Jiu-Jitsu fighter requires a different musculature than a Western heavyweight boxer. Getting in shape can mean the perfect level of muscle for your sport, looking the part, or improving your body’s health.
All of this is so much easier when we have a healthy relationship with our bodies. Whatever kind of routine you’re looking into, it’s essential to make sure you’re approaching it in a balanced way.
There are a few basic courses of action available to people with regard to losing weight. Some are harsher than others – we often hear of the intense workouts and strict diets some athletes follow. On the other hand, some of them barely require you to change anything at all. Below are some of the best ways to get your body ready, whatever level you want to work at.
Freeze the Fat
This might sound crazy, but it’s gaining traction and backing from public health bodies. The process is called cryolipolysis, and it involves applying freezing packs to overly fatty areas of the body for a period of time. This helps to break down fat cells and produce a slimmer appearance. Companies such as Freeze2Trim are pioneers in the emerging cryolipolysis market.
One of the reasons this process is becoming so popular is that it’s non-invasive. Unlike liposuction or any surgical fat removal treatment, it simply involves applying a compact to whichever areas of the body you want to trim. It can be done in the comfort of your own home, in your own time.
This can be beneficial because a more streamlined body can allow you to move more freely when exercising. Losing fat can also help you move faster, which is essential in many combat sports.
Train Where You Need to Train
It’s always quality over quantity with exercise. Every muscle in the body has a function, but some are more important than others in individual sports. Know which muscles are most important to your sport and let them speak to you when you’re working out.
Rather than increasing the number of reps you can do, make every one count and consider what you want that muscle to do for you. If the exercise is aerobic and you’re looking to lose some fat, can you feel your heart rate lifted? Can you feel the muscles in your body working together?
A Healthy Approach to Diet
When trying to lose weight for a sport, diet can be a real pain. The idea of ‘giving up’ foods that you enjoy entirely can be demoralizing, which isn’t a good thing. Motivation works best with a positive approach. Usain Bolt famously ate around 100 chicken nuggets every day while destroying world records in Beijing. This doesn’t come recommended, but it’s worth remembering that food should help your mind and body.
It’s all about portion control and keeping it infrequent. Don’t think of foods high in saturated fats as something you want to eat, so much of you feel sick. Think of them as something you can enjoy the taste of after a long week without them. Eating slowly and savoring every mouthful helps to fill you up quickly, so don’t overstuff yourself.
Work Together
Whether it’s a training partner, a mentor, or just friends and family, having the people around you involved in your passion is essential. Whatever level you’re working at within your sport, motivation from others, and having people to keep you in check is essential to healthy practice. Start your journey towards an ideal body and optimum performance today, and most importantly, make sure you enjoy the ride.
