Six Easy Steps That Will Change Your Life
Getting Started with Getting Fit
First, you must know where you are now. This means you need to be sure of why you have decided to make healthy choices in your life and where you want to go with your goals.
Next, you must make it happen with the right frame of mind. If you are looking for a quick fix then you probably aren’t yet serious enough to make the kind of choices that have lasting results. If you are serious and ready to make changes that produce real results then you will need a support group and a realistic schedule.
Finally, congratulate yourself because you are now on your way to a healthier, happier, sexier you!!
1. Where Are You Now?
Once you get your physicians approval to begin an exercise program, get a fitness journal.
You can make one out of any notebook. Label it as your fitness journal. Next, assess your current health and fitness level and write it down. This lets you know where you are now.
Are you taking medicine on a regular basis? Be sure to include this. It may change later, especially if you take blood pressure medicine, cholesterol reducers or diabetic insulin.
Take a realistic photo of yourself in a bathing suit or with very little clothing on. Put this into the journal as a graphic reminder of where you are starting from. Remember to date it and label it.
Record your weight and body measurements. Also, write down how you feel physically and emotionally. Are you always tired? Are you weak? Stressed? Whatever you are feeling, be honest and record it in your fitness journal.
How hard is it to walk up a flight of stairs? How long does it take for you to walk or jog a half mile? Or depending on your fitness level, how long does it take to walk down your driveway? We are all at different levels of fitness when we start. Write it all down now so you can look back on your records later and see how far you have come.
Your local YMCA or gym should offer body-fat testing. It’s usually pretty inexpensive even for non-members. Get yours tested and keep the results in your journal. Be sure they use a caliper to test you because I have found that the computerized ones are not as accurate. Expect your percentage of body-fat to change, too.
2. Why Have You Decided To Do This?
What is the top motivating factor that has caused you to make a change and begin a new lifestyle? Once again, be very honest with yourself. Only you will be reading your journal… unless you choose to share it with anyone later. Once you come up with your motivating reason, write it in your journal.
3. What Do You Want To Get Out Of This?
Make some realistic goals and set a time frame to achieve them.
Think of a reward that you will give yourself for this accomplishment. I find that when goals are not realistic, they tend to be forgotten and never achieved. If you make smaller goals now and then change them as you go, you will be more likely to complete them.
Do think of an appropriate reward such as a massage, a day off, a trip to a favorite park or museum, or a new pair of pants. Make it’s something special to you.
4. Make It Happen With The Right Frame Of Mind.
Surround yourself with positive people and positive thoughts.
View yourself in a positive way. Stop thinking about all of the things you can’t do and begin thinking about all of the things you can do, are doing and will do.
In my gym I have two signs that I like to write up on my chalkboard. The first one has the word CAN’T in a circle with a line drawn through it. No one says can’t in my gym. You can and you will reach those goals.
The other sign has the word NEGATIVITY in a circle with a line drawn through it. No negativity is allowed in my gym.
Think positive. You know you want it. Make it happen.
I will be posting motivational thoughts and fitness tips on the FitClub4 web site every week. Be sure to look at it and think about it each day. Put it on your fridge, your screen saver or your bathroom mirror.
Be sure to subscribe to the FREE FitClub4 Fitness Tips E-zine featuring short video clips to help keep you motivated and succeeding.
5. Surround Yourself With A Support Group
You know that we all enjoy sharing our success with someone. Be sure to tell family members and friends that you’re in training now and that you have goals set.
Keep them informed along the way. Just be sure to pick people that are positive. You’ll be surprised how people will begin to encourage you and will comment on your successes as they see you change. You just may motivate someone else and change their life! Be sure to write your successes in your journal.
6. Make A Realistic Schedule.
Pick an appropriate time to do your daily workout. Yes, I said daily.
You will need to find periods throughout the week where you can give thirty minutes to yourself. You deserve this.
I know what you’re thinking… “Thirty minutes? I don’t have time for that!”
Think about this. The average person is awake approximately 15 hours a day. That equals 30 half hour segments!!! Take one for you.
If you absolutely can’t take thirty minutes, then take what you can. Did you know that exercise is accumulative? That means that you can still take 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night and there is your thirty minutes each day!
Pick a time that works for you and write it in your schedule book, or on a calendar. Make it a priority. Do it… even if you have to get up before the crack of dawn because of your busy schedule. Try it. You will be surprised how much more time and energy you will suddenly have.
If lunchtime is the only time you have and only 15 minutes is available for exercise then start with that. You may find another 15 minute chunk in the evenings. Do whatever it takes. If you must schedule an appointment for yourself to workout then keep that appointment just as you would with any other appointment. It’s probably the most important appointment you can make.
It’s your health, your well being.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
FIND A JOURNAL AND GET STARTED NOW!!!
Feel free to e-mail me along the way with any questions you may have or any goals you might want to reach… no matter what size they are, I want to hear from you.
Look for exercises and workouts at www.fitclub4.com. Join my site and get plenty of motivational tips fitness videos. There is plenty of FREE content just for you.
You have already made a step in the right direction by reading this article. I will be here for you every step of the way.
I wish you success in your endeavors.
Make This Your Year,
Pam
