Don’t learn your exercise routine by watching a friend workout. Learning from a friend or trying to come up with your own regimen will not only prevent progress, but can get you injured as well. Everyone is different and has different needs. I don’t have any two clients on the same program. Get help from an expert.
Do have a workout partner though. You can help motivate each other, and because knowing one of you is going to show up to work out, it helps make you both accountable.
Don’t workout without staying hydrated. Remember, muscle is 70-75 percent water, so if you’re dehydrated while exercising, it’s like running on flat tires.
Do get plenty of sleep. Even though your muscles may feel tight during a workout (that’s because they are gorged with blood), they don’t tone and strengthen until hours later while you sleep.
In fact, if I’m training someone for a time sensitive event like a sport or competition, one of the first things I require of them is that they get an extra hour  sleep each night whether they have to bed earlier or get up later. A nap won’t do it because there needs to be a cycle of sleep.
Don’t give up on yourself. No matter your fitness level, you’re going to have set backs. At times you’re going to feel like you can’t make progress. Stay with it. Consistency is even more important than effort.
Remember slow and steady wins this race.
Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and personal trainer for 26 years.
He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, Converse college equestrian team, lead train to L.H. Fields modeling agency, and taught four semesters at USC-Union. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.