We all have been reminded at one time or another that nobody is perfect and no body is perfect. But when it comes to health and fitness, it’s important to recognize that the common mistakes we make can impact our long-term wellness. Change your mistakes into fixes.

Being a weekend warrior, working out seven days a week or pushing yourself to exhaustion is the recipe to injury and burn out.

Spending less total time training but really making it count is an effective way to improve. Use functional, efficient training that incorporates cardio, strength, core stability, balance and flexibility all in one workout. Stay focused on form and proper engagement of the muscles. It’s easier on your body and helps the body stay balanced.

Doing the same program can create plateaus in progress, can overuse certain muscles and can be reinforcing poor movement.

Trying new methods or techniques can awaken the body and challenge it to find growth. It can help to engage dormant muscles and find new awareness for both the mind and the body. We need to understand that our body works as a large system and each muscle group and body part plays an intricate part in our overall well-being.

Incorrect breathing during exercise means holding your breath, breathing too shallow or breathing too fast. It can lead to your blood pressure rising, dizziness, fainting and potential stroke.

Proper breathing is deep and relaxed. Ideally you want to breathe from your diaphragm. A “belly” breath is simply breathing in deeply enough so your belly (not your chest) rises, then falls as you exhale. Breathing properly ensures enough blood to flow to the muscles that need it and also flushes out the toxins in your muscles.

The inner self-critic scrutinizes each part of our body and our workouts. Negative reinforcement brings the mind and body into a less efficient state, therefore making progress more challenging. Plus it takes all the fun out!

Make a mantra. Write down a list of words or sayings that are significant to you and repeat them to boost your positivity. Recognize that the healthy steps you are taking each day do make a difference to make improvements in your life and journey.

Making excuses that you can have that cookie because you worked out or eating those french fries because you did your run for the day is not supporting the body’s needs.

Reward your body with healthy choices to repair muscles and give it the nutrients it needs to have more energy. The foods you eat affect every system of the body including your hormones, skin and brain. Nutrition is the key to longevity, beauty and brain strength and disease prevention.

Note: Remember to always consult your physician before starting any program.