
Nutrition and Workout Tips
Here are my essential tips for beginners starting a workout routine:
Start Small and Build Gradually: Begin with short, manageable workouts (20–30 minutes), 3–4 times a week, and increase intensity over time.
Focus on Form Over Weight: Learn correct technique before increasing resistance to avoid injury and build a strong foundation.
Mix It Up: Incorporate strength training, cardio, and flexibility work to keep things balanced and prevent burnout.
Stay Consistent: Consistency beats intensity in the beginning—showing up regularly matters more than going all out.
Warm-Up and Cool Down: Always prepare your body with dynamic stretches before, and cool down with static stretches after.
Rest and Recovery: Allow at least one rest day between intense sessions to help your muscles recover and grow.
Eat for Fuel: Support your workouts with balanced meals that include protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.
Hydrate Often: Drink water throughout the day and especially around your workouts to stay energized and reduce cramping.
Track Progress: Keep a log of your workouts, weights, or how you feel to stay motivated and see your improvement.
Be Patient and Kind to Yourself: Results take time. Celebrate small wins and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
Here are some of my basic food tips for weight loss that are effective and sustainable:
Control Portion Sizes: Even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if eaten in large quantities. Use smaller plates and be mindful of serving sizes.
Prioritize Protein: Include a lean protein (chicken, fish, eggs, beans, tofu) with every meal to help keep you full and preserve muscle mass.
Cut Back on Added Sugar: Minimize sugary drinks, desserts, and processed snacks—opt for naturally sweet foods like fruits.
Eat More Fiber: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains improve digestion and keep you satisfied longer.
Stay Hydrated: Sometimes thirst feels like hunger. Drink water throughout the day—try a glass before meals to help reduce overeating.
Minimize Processed Foods: Stick to whole foods as much as possible—foods that look close to how they came from nature.
Plan Your Meals: Preparing meals ahead of time helps you avoid last-minute, less healthy choices.
Avoid Liquid Calories: Limit soda, alcohol, and fancy coffee drinks. They add up quickly and don’t fill you up.
Be Consistent, Not Perfect: Focus on long-term habits, not short-term extremes. One treat won’t ruin your progress—just get back on track.
Listen to Your Body: Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full. Avoid eating out of boredom or emotion when possible.
Effective ways to gain muscle
-
Try to workout 3-5 strength training sessions per week, giving muscles time to recover.
-
Make sure you lift weights that challenge you, aiming for a weight that you can comfortably lift for 8-12 repetitions.
-
Gradually increase the weight, reps, or sets you lift over time to continue challenging your muscles.
-
Cut back on added sugars found in desserts, snacks, and sweetened beverages.
-
Allow for adequate rest between sets and workouts to allow for muscle recovery and growth.
-
Consume enough protein to support muscle growth, aiming for 1.6-2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.
Five common gym injuries
-
Avoid it by:
Gradually increasing your weight and intensity.
Notice when you were fatigued as these can cause strains.
Preforming dynamic warmups before weight lifting and prevent strains.
-
Avoid it by:
Squat and lunging with proper form.
If you have knee pain wear supportive knee wraps.
Mobility exercises which target the knees, hips and ankles.
-
Avoid it by:
Having proper form and good poser during all exercise routines.
Strengthen your core by doing oblique, lower ab and lower back training.
Warming up your lower back properly.
-
Avoid it by:
Wearing gym style gloves or straps.
Keeping your hands dry with powder or moisturized during training sessions.
Plant base proteins
-
Chickpea offers about 15 grams of protein per cooked cup. They are high in fiber, iron and other essential nutrients.
-
This has about 8 grams of protein per cooked cup. Also contains nine essential amino acids.
-
About 18 grams of protein per cooked cup. They are also rich in iron and folate.
-
Tempeh has about 20 grams of protein per serving.
-
With 3 tablespoons of Hemp seeds has 9.5 grams of protein. Hemp is also packed with magnesium. B vitamins, iron and omega-3 fats.