The most
common challenge that people I talk to face is how to incorporate fitness into
their lives. They know they have to do something to get in shape but they
really don’t know how. It can be discouraging because of the abundance of
information out there. So much that you may not know where to begin.
Our society
has so many food choices that it is easy to pack on the extra pounds. Also our
day to day jobs are less physical as they where 100 years ago so we have more
sedentary life styles. We know there are benefits involved when we exercise and
cleaning up or diet. However, most of us know don’t know how or where to start.
So where do
we begin? Or is the question: How do we begin?
The very
first thing you need do is go to your doctor and get the approval to start
exercising. Your doctor may also provide some helpful tips as well.
After you
get the “OK” from your doctor, try these 5 things to help you get started:
Make the
Choice to Start Exercising and Eating Right
Making the
decision to do something provides a form of commitment you made to your self.
Deciding that you need to change behavior creates new possibilities. When you
say to your self “I need to get in shape”, it means something. You should be
answering these questions in your mind: When can I work out? What exercises do
I need to do? What foods should I be eating? Make your self think about the
commitment you just made. Only then you can let go of the past and take steps
to move forward.
Write Down
What You Do
You need a
reference that is realistic towards your weekly activity. Write down everything
you do during the week. This should include work hours, commuting hours, nights
spent with your spouse, your child’s activities and anything else you can think
of that you do. You should also include what you do on weekends. You should
make a list for each day of the week. Here’s why…..
Some people
set lofty goals like working out for 2 hours a day. This can be due to an old
saying, “More is Better”. However, this is not the case. Knowing your schedule
will help you set realistic goals and help you find a few hours a week to start
exercising. You’ll have a visual perspective on what you can and can’t do with
your routine.
Research
and Get Information
Most people
do not have enough information before they start a work out program. So how do
we get the information we need? The good news is we live in the information
age. Take advantage of your favorite search engine and learn a little bit about
fitness and nutrition. However, do not go overboard and lose focus. Find a
source of information you like and take notes. Find the simplest and easiest
workouts and nutrition tips. Don’t over load yourself with information.
If you have
the money, hire a personal trainer for a few sessions to help you get started.
Hiring a personal trainer is a great way to get started because you have made a
commitment to meet someone to workout. Your goal is to have the trainer show
you the basics on exercise and eating healthier. It may also be safer to learn
how to perform the exercises (especially if you have not exercised for a
while).
Create a
Simple Plan and Set Realistic Goals
Keep it
Simple! Following a simple plan while on a hectic schedule is much easier than
following an elaborate plan. You should have a plan of which days you want to
work out and one goal to change your eating habits for the next few weeks. For
example, “I will work out for a half an hour for 3 days this week. I will eat a
little less each meal.” Simple is success.
Execute Your Plan
Now that
you have a plan, all you need to do is follow it. This is another big step. You
should look at your plan every day upon waking. You need be mentally prepared
for the great day ahead of you. Having your daily schedule in hand will help
you achieve your goals for the day. When you complete your workout for the day,
highlight it or cross it off your list. It will show you that you accomplished
something for yourself. No matter what you must execute. This will be the
hardest (and most rewarding) step.
I hope
these things help you get started on a new life of physical fitness. Life is
filled with making decisions, knowing your commitments, getting information,
planning and execution. Try these approaches for yourself and you will see that
having your own workout and nutrition program is not as far fetched or
complicated as you think.
