Not Meeting Your Athletic Goals? Here are 5 Ways to Improve

Not Meeting Your Athletic Goals? Here are 5 Ways to Improve : The only thing that’s preventing you from obtaining your goals are the limits you set. When you reach those limits, pushing past them seems impossible. Fear, uncertainty, physical abilities—these are all roadblocks that prevent you from meeting your goals.

If you find yourself stuck in a rut, it’s important that you don’t give up. These are just minor setbacks that can be improved upon and strengthened so you can succeed. To meet all of your athletic goals, consider these five ways to improve and become a stronger you.

Find a Partner

Sometimes a lack of motivation is the only thing keeping you from reaching your goals. One of the best ways to muster up determination is by finding a partner to work alongside you. Whether your goal is to complete your first half marathon or deadlift heavier weights, a partner that’s there to encourage you can help you push past the limits. If you’re struggling to find someone to accompany you on your athletic journey, try the Meetup App. Here, you can put in your interests, such as hiking, swimming, going to the gym, etc. and find local groups or individuals interested in the same passions.

A partner to workout with and motivate you does not have to be limited to a friend. You always have the option of hiring a personal trainer to help you meet your athletic goals as it will be their objective and job to help you get the results you are seeking. Paying for personal training services may also provide you additional motivation that you might not find elsewhere as you know you are spending your hard earned cash to have someone help you. This might just be the kick in the pants you need to continually stay motivated. Keep in mind that not all personal trainers are created equal, you’ll want to find one that has a reputable certification and has the education needed to help you succeed while keeping you safe. Check out this guide on best personal trainer certifications to learn more.
Invest in the Right Equipment

Invest in the Right Equipment

Working out or competing with the wrong equipment can push you backward rather than propel you forward. Simply having the wrong type of shoe for running or bat for softball can have a huge impact. That’s why investing in top quality items such as Nike running shoes for women or a Wilson tennis racket for your next match can make a world of difference. Whatever your athletic pursuits may be, talking with a professional in your sport can guide you in the right direction when buying equipment.
Get Enough Sleep

You may not believe it, but sleep plays an integral part in how well your body performs. While you sleep, your body releases hormones that repair your body, including your muscles and your brain! If you want to reach the next level, forming a healthy sleeping pattern will do you wonders. Some of the benefits of a good night’s sleep include:

– An improved immune system
– A better mood
– Increased energy levels
– A healthy heart
– Reduced stress
– Lower chance of depression
– Improved memory
Fuel Properly

How you fuel your body also plays a vital role in your overall athletic performance. Eating foods with little nutritional value that are high in saturated fats and sugars can leave you feeling tired, weak, and sick. To keep your mind and body healthy, try and fill your dinner plate with foods from every color of the rainbow. This means having plenty of vegetables such as kale, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers and fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and bananas incorporated into your daily diet. If you’re a busy athlete with little time to meal prep, you can always order from HelloFresh or other meal delivery services that provide easy to make recipes with all of the ingredients.

Additionally, you want to ensure you’re getting enough protein, which can come from leafy greens, eggs, and meat. Working out or partaking in intense sports means your body is exhausting a lot of energy and your muscles actually tear (a little). The reason protein is so important to athletes is because it allows your muscles to recover and grow stronger.
Take Time to Recover

Overtraining can be another reason you’re not reaching your goals. Many athletes have the mindset that more is better. While this is true to some extent, pushing your body too hard can do more harm than good. It’s important to listen to internal cues, and if there are days your body is saying no—listen. Taking one day off a week from physical activity will give your body the rest it needs to repair and recover.

A way to monitor your body is through an activity tracker like a Garmin watch. Many smartwatches can monitor your heart rate, track sleep cycles, and give you insight on your stress levels. Always take note of your baseline heart rate when you perform regular physical activity. On days you repeat this activity and your heart rate is higher than normal, it’s a sign you could be overtraining.

Conclusion

Feeling down in the dumps because you’re not meeting your athletic goals? Try these five tips and you’ll turn your performance completely around!