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 don’t know how. It can be discouraging because of the abundance of information out there. So much information 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 were 100 years ago, so we have more sedentary lifestyles. We know there are benefits involved when we launch an exercise workout plan. However, most of us know don’t know how or where to start.

So if we are committed to living our best year ever where do we begin? Or is the question: How do we start?

The very first thing you need to 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 five things to help you get started an exercise workout plan:

1.  Choose to Start Exercising

Sounds simple but most of us never actually decide to do something differently. Deciding that you need to change behavior creates new possibilities. When you say to yourself “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? Make yourself think about the commitment you just made. Only then you can let go of the past and take steps to move forward.

2.  Write Down What You Do

You need a realistic reference that shows your weekly activity. Write down everything you do during the week. Make sure to 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, perhaps due to the adage, “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.

3.  Research and Get Information

Most people do not have enough information before they start an exercise workout plan. 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 most straightforward and easiest workouts and nutrition tips. Don’t overload yourself with knowledge.

If you have the money, hire a personal trainer for a few sessions to help you get started. Hiring a personal trainer is an excellent way to get started because you have committed to meet someone to workout. Your goal is to have the instructor show you exercise and healthy eating basics. It may also be safer to learn how to perform the exercises (especially if you have not exercised for a while). Make sure to ask a potential trainer if they are certified or have a degree.

4.  Create a Simple Plan and Set Realistic Goals

Keep it Simple! Following a simple exercise workout program while on a hectic schedule is more comfortable than developing an elaborate scheme. You should have a plan of which days you want to workout 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 three days this week.”

5.  Execute Your Plan

Now that you have a plan, all you need to do is follow it. Every day when you wake, look at your program. You need to be mentally prepared for the great day ahead of you. Having your daily schedule on 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 and it’s usually the hardest (and most rewarding) step.

I hope these things help you get started on a new life and physical fitness transformation. Life is filled with making decisions, knowing your commitments, getting information, planning, and execution. Apply these steps, and it won’t be long before you’re creating and sticking to your exercise workout plan. Living your best year ever is not as far-fetched or complicated as you think.

IF this was helpful, feel free to share!

CJ Johnson’s Fitness Transformation Blog
Train Smart · Live Bold · Age Well

Email: CJ@agewellwithcj.com
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