Get Fit With A Plan
Though we tend to think of them as being two separate things, the mind and body are a single amazing system. That makes the proper mindset essential anytime you begin a new fitness regimen. Without a complete plan that includes identified attainable goals, mental focus and discipline, it's very unlikely that your fitness goals will be met. The first step to a successful exercise regimen is to sit down and get your mind into the endeavor.
The first step in any plan is to decide what it is that you want to accomplish. the primary goal is to get into better shape than you're currently in, but without establishing intermediate and even daily goals, you'll find yourself running in place without going anywhere. It's a good idea to set several easily attainable goals, followed by loftier benchmarks, and finally a goal that you consider a best-case scenario, but that you probably won't get to. This covers all the possible outcomes.
Once your have determined your goals, the next step is to develop a plan to achieve each of them. If your goal is to be able to run one mile in sixteen minutes, break that down into a series of smaller steps. Begin with 1/8 of a mile in 2 minutes. Once you reach that mark, move on to 1/4 mile in 4 minutes. Eventually, probably before you know it, you will have ran a mile in 16 minutes. Once that is achieved, it's time to set a new goal, perhaps a mile in 15 minutes.
If you are new to the exercise game, ask for input from as many people as you can find. Eventually you'll have enough information to develop techniques that will work for you. Never put pressure on yourself to mimic someone else's plan. Everyone is different and has different abilities and situations, and if you try to copy them you are setting yourself up for failure.
Never be afraid to modify your goals. Circumstances and situations change and your goals often must change with them. However you must be ensure that changing the goals truly is necessary and you're not simply trying to find an excuse. As long as you are constantly working toward some goal, you are on the right path.
Once you have done your homework, identified your goals, developed a workable plan and gotten your mind primed for the task, it's time to get to work. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a fit body. As long as you make the most of your time, it is your friend. If you don't, it becomes your enemy. The easiest thing in this world to find is an excuse. Make sure you avoid the temptation to look for one. Just keep making steady progress and don't forget to congratulate and reward yourself for the effort.
For most people, the hardest part of getting into shape is not so much the physical aspect, but rather the mental dread that accompanies it. Break through the mental barriers by developing a clear plan of what you want to accomplish and how you plan to do it. As you execute the plan and start to see the results, your motivation will grow, and so will your fitness level.
