Fitness is more than a few push-ups and sit-ups now and then, it's a commitment to a whole new lifestyle. Without that commitment, you may very well be doomed to failure. Learn more in the following paragraphs and give your fitness strategy a fighting chance.
1. Start with the right attitude. You've got to be willing to make the changes in your whole life that will lead to fitness. Make your mind up to spend less time idle, like watching television or playing video games. Your success is more of a state of mind than anything else, and if you've got the right attitude, you're bound to meet your fitness goals.
2. Develop your fitness plan thoughtfully. Consider things like time and energy: Do you have more of it in the morning or later in the day? Can you afford gym dues in the long run, or should you turn a corner of your garage into a home gym? What are your obstacles? Think about your strengths and weaknesses and how to manipulate them in your favor.
3. Incorporate fitness into everything. Stop using elevators and escalators and enjoy a quick jaunt up the stairs instead. Park your car as far away from entrances as possible and walk briskly to your destination. Don't splurge on that ride-on lawnmower, stick to the push type and get a real workout from your everyday tasks. Opportunities in fitness are all around you, so seek them out and do the right thing.
4. Sustain your body with healthy foods. You wouldn't put low-grad fuel in a Ferrari, so don't try and get through your fitness routine without eating the right foods. Learn about carbs, lean proteins and the healthy fatty oils your body needs. Take your fitness enthusiasm to the grocery store, and fill your cart with food and beverages that will work with your program, not against it.
5. Keep up your energy with restful sleep. If you lead a very busy life, make sure your fitness routine doesn't overwhelm your life. Instead, work it in smartly to your schedule, and make sure you get plenty of high-quality sleep. Your body needs it for restoration, and fitness should be contributing to improved sleeping conditions, so strike a healthy balance.
6. Keep your workout interesting. If you become bored with what you're doing, you're more likely to quit it. Mix up the exercises you do and where you do them. Take it a step further and have different workout partners throughout the week. All of this will keep it fun and give you more to look forward to, thereby increasing the chances of the most favorable outcomes.
7. Document your success with a journal. Recent studies strongly suggest that your best tool in fitness or weight management is a daily diary. Keep a small notebook within reach constantly, and record what you do for fitness, including the healthy foods you are enjoying more of. Refer back to your journal if you experience a set-back or simply need a quick shot of motivation.
Unfortunately, most people's plans for fitness fall through the cracks. Don't let that be you! Take a smart approach and think your plan through and don't accept anything less than success.