Last updated at 13:01, Tuesday, 05 March 2013

If you missed this year’s London Olympics, then where were you? It was literally the biggest thing
to hit Britain since the Industrial Revolution! Or something like that anyway… With gold medals
coming out of our ears and celebrations galore, this summer was definitely a moment in which the
nation felt proud. But what lasting impact has it had? Did the Olympics finish and that was it, back
to reality? Well, we certainly hope not! One of the intentions of hosting London 2012 was to try and
continue its legacy and to encourage the people of Britain to get more involved in sport. So, as a
way of motivating you guys to get fit this Christmas, here are our tips to becoming Britain’s next big
athlete!

Health

OK, so before you start to enter yourself for every competition going, make sure that you’re in good
shape and won’t collapse five minutes in. Devise a diet plan which cuts out any rubbish, such as
sugary products, and stick to eating food that is healthy and full of vitamins. Particularly at this time
of year it’s essential that you don’t get run down, as this will not only help you to avoid those pesky
flu bugs, but it also keeps your immune system strong for when you’re training. Many people take
supplements as a means of maintaining a healthy inner balance; GNC provide L'Glutamine available
in tablets, which is a popular choice. Additionally to this, it’s also important to be mentally strong.
Remember to have a positive mental attitude as well as staying focused when working towards your
goals, as this gives you a higher chance of success in the long run.

Training

Once you’ve established a nutritious diet and a base level of fitness, now is the time to start
organising your training schedule. It’s a good idea to ease yourself in and to not rush into doing
really intense workouts, as this can only do more damage than good. Increase your levels of training
week by week and soon your tolerance will gradually build up without you experiencing too much
physical strain. Although, you must ensure that the sporting activity you do participate in is regular;
if you do months of vigorous exercise only to suddenly stop, then your health could suffer as a
consequence. Like anything, work at it but don’t over-do it, and you’ll soon be witnessing the
results!

Support

Starting something new can always seem a bit daunting. No matter how passionate you might be
about the sport you’ve decided to take up, or how determined you are to succeed in it, there will
always be points where you could do with some words of motivation from somebody else. So don’t
do it alone! Join a club, get a friend involved, or if you’ve got the money, why not take some expert
advice from a personal trainer? Find the right support network for your training, and you’ll soon be
on your way to Rio!

First published at 10:06, Friday, 07 December 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk