(Submitted by Tim Waller, owner/trainer at In-Home Fitness Training)
So, you’ve decided that it’s time to make a change and start improving your health and fitness, but where do you start? Success needs the foundation of a good plan. Here are a few tips to help you make that plan and set you on the path to reaching your goals.
An effective health and fitness program consists of strength training, cardio, and nutrition. I call these the three pillars of fitness. Depending on your goals, wants, and ability, you will need to adjust the balance of these pillars. However, when just beginning, put an even focus on each until you learn your body and how it responds to the activity.
A very important key to your success is to strive to be consistent, rather than perfect. The idea of perfection is a trap that can leave you burnt out and discouraged. It is ok to make a mistake every now and then. The key is that you keep moving forward. For the average person, just sticking to their program the majority of the time will bring about success.
Lastly, before you do any of the aforementioned, you will need to make a commitment to yourself. A good health and fitness program is meant to be part of your lifestyle and it takes time to settle in to a new routine. Rest assured, there will be days when you will not feel like working out or preparing meals. Commit to yourself for six weeks. Why six weeks? Take a look at the gym in the beginning of January compared to mid-February. Unfortunately, a lot of people are missing this key component to
their success and those that make their new year’s resolution end up quitting in the first few weeks. If you can commit to yourself for six weeks, your new routine will become part of your everyday life and those activities will be second nature.
Make a plan, focus on consistency, and make a commitment. If you put these practices into action, you will be on the right path to improving, not only your health and fitness, but your entire quality of life.
