Why Your Workout isn’t Working

Maybe you want to lose weight, or gain muscle, maybe you want stronger arms or toned legs. Are you tired of doing everything but still not seeing results? It can be frustrating when you feel like you are doing everything right but have nothing to show for it. Find out why your workout isn’t working with this simple fix.

There is a simple cause of you not getting the results you want on your fitness journey. Keep reading to find out why your workout isn’t working, how to fix it, and other simple tips you can use to get results easily without suffering!

Is your workout not working for you? Are you trying to get your body to change, grow stronger, and be healthier, but don’t see results? It happens. Don’t stress about it, as that can reduce progress even more (more on that later). While there are many reasons, there is an overlooked cause as to why your workout isn’t working. It is overlooked and common, but it is an easy fix.

Before learning it, however, try to see if you can track your progress.

First, Check in with Yourself

It is important to remember first and foremost, fitness is a journey that is about progress, not perfection. Just because you are not seeing results does not mean they are not there. This is why is it important to take note of where you are starting from to be able to track how far you’ve come. Test what you are training, whether it’s running faster, walking for longer, increasing flexibility, or building strength. Case in point, I used to do zero (0) push-ups, but in a couple of months, I was able to do 5. That’s progress, even if it was slower than I wanted.

Overlooked Reason Why Your Workout isn’t Working

You aren’t sleeping enough. It’s as simple as that. Too little sleep reduces muscle building and increases your likelihood of being overweight.

Sleep deprivation imbalances your hormones extremely. If you don’t sleep enough, your body undergoes more and more stress, which rises cortisol levels. Cortisol in the blood leads to excessive weight gain, particularly in the abdomen. It may even cause weakening of your arms and thighs.

Plus, less sleep also causes your ghrelin to increase, which is a hormone that is produced in the gut and responsible for hunger. Ghrelin travels through the blood to your brain to increase feelings of hunger. Another key hormone is leptin. Not enough sleep decrease leptin, the hormone that signals to the brain that you are full. This imbalance of hormones makes sit difficult to accurately gauge your hunger, causing you to overeat and store more body fat due to cortisol.

Sleep and Muscle Building

Outside of exercise, sleep is the most important thing you can do for fitness. Not sleeping enough will first of all reduce performance significantly. You are tired, have a slower reaction time, and are more likely to make mistakes that injure you.

When you are sleep deprived, it is harder for the body to use glucose. Due to this, you are likely to get tired more quickly when you do not sleep enough. During sleep, higher levels of testosterone and IGF-1(growth hormone) are released. These components are curial in muscle repair and growth.

How to Fall Asleep Fast

Here is a complete guide to falling asleep, as well as some tips to fall asleep fast. Check out the tips below for a condensed, less detailed version!

Take deep breaths – slow, deep breaths activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for relaxation
Set the mood – lower the temperature, dim the lights, and turn off electronics.
Drink calming tea – teas like chamomile or lavender can help you relax
Do a body scan – if you’re feeling restless, try a body scan meditation to reduce tension in the body.
Sunlight in the day – when you first wake up, try to get in some natural sunlight. This can help calibrate your internal clock and will help you be more focused during the day and ready to sleep at night.

Quick Tips for When Your Workout isn’t Working

Here are some other easy tips you can use to get the most out of your workout. Fitness is about progress, not perfection, so remember to enjoy the journey.

Change up the routine – if you are used to weights, try some cardio or resistance training for a change-up! The body can become too used to a certain workout.
Find the right time to work out – some people work out better at night, while others prefer early morning routines. Check out the science-based differences here.
Try creatine – creatine is the number one research supplement proven to increase gains.
Remember to rest – recovery is just as important as the exercise itself (just look at the importance of sleep). Eat well, do some stretching, and relax on rest days.
Eat nutrient-dense foods – your body requires high-quality protein, healthy fats, and nutritious carbohydrates to recover and repair itself.
Hydrate with Lemon – hydration is key in preventing injury and recovery. To boost hydration, try adding some electrolytes to your water in the form of lemon juice!
Take care of mental health – the mind deserves care and relaxation, as even stress may reduce gains. Try some yoga or meditation to make sure your mental health is good!

The Takeaway

If you are doing everything right and still aren’t seeing results, you might just need to rest. Sleep is the number one reason why your workout is not working as it is a vital part of your wellbeing. Sleep well in order to get those gains.

Remember health comes from within, so eat well, exercise daily, and take care of your mental health. Let the habits you do daily become the building blocks for health, emotional, mental, and physical. Take care of your gut health too! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.

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Why Your Workout isn’t Working – an Overlooked, Easy Fix