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7 little known fitness hacks that will change your life

Eat more meals, tell the world and pump up that fast music

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There is so much to learn about working out properly, it can be as confusing as you want to make it. However, there are some simple tips, tricks and hacks that anyone can do to make working out easier and more effective. Below are some simple fitness hacks you can incorporate today to take your fitness to a higher level.

1. Eat more meals

Note I am not saying eat more food. Break your meals into smaller portions and eat more frequently. Ideally you should eat a meal every three hours. Doing this will keep your blood sugar levels in check, keep your appetite under control so your less likely to binge on an unhealthy snack and increase your metabolism.

2. Tell the world

Tell the world, or at least your world, that you have a goal to lose weight, gain muscle, or even finish a 5k. Most people are willing to let themselves down before their friends and family. Whatever your goal is, telling your friends and family will keep you accountable to them and not yourself. Social networking websites are a great medium for announcing your goals.

3. The “new exercise” rule

Too often I see people in the gym doing the exact same exercises day after day. Your body has an amazing ability to adapt, and exercising is no exception. Over time, doing the same exercises over and over will decrease the effectiveness of your workouts. Make it a goal that every Sunday night you will search the internet for one new exercise you want to do at least three times during the upcoming week. Not only will this new exercise be a learning experience, it will take your fitness to a higher level.

4. Workout with a friend

Working out with someone will make you less likely to skip a workout and more likely to complete a workout. So grab a buddy at a similar fitness level to you and be amazed at how far you push yourself.

5. Reward yourself

This hack is especially useful for someone who can never seem to workout consistently. One of the biggest problems newbies have is they quit because they don’t have an end goal, or their goal is too long term. Make a short-term goal, just a month or two, and if you complete your goal, say lose 7 pounds, reward yourself with new workout clothes. Having a short-term goal and a reward will make you more likely to finish what you started.

6. Exercise to fast music

Exercising to fast-paced songs made people exercise harder and longer. Load your phone up with fast-paced, heart-thumping music before you exercise to increase the effectiveness of your workout.

7. Active work meetings

Why does a day at work have to involve sitting at a desk 8 hours a day? We know that sitting is deadly, literally. Schedule an active work meeting. Instead of sitting at a conference table with others, burn some calories and take a walk around the building.

Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran, author, and entrepreneur. He served as a sergeant in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist where he received an Army Commendation Medal. He has a Master’s degree in Science and has authored four books in three genres. His best-selling book, The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, prepares recruits for military basic training. He is also the inventor of Strength Stack 52, bodyweight fitness cards designed for military personnel. He can be contacted through Twitter, Facebook, and his site, www.UltimateBasicTraining.com.

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