When it comes to getting fit, different approaches work for different people. Starting a fitness journey is a personal thing and no two fitness plans or meal plans are identical. Part of working towards achieving your goals is finding out what works for you.
Some people are able to start and maintain a healthier and more active lifestyle by themselves, whilst others prefer the help of a personal trainer or a group bootcamp training environment.
But since even a trainer can’t come to your house at 1am and confiscate the cookies from your hands, you have to accept that this journey is going to require some will power. Let’s start with the basics:
1. Commit To It
You can’t lose weight on a half-hearted diet. I have been on a life long search of how to stay in shape without making any effort what so ever. It turns out, you can’t.
2. Set A Goal
Your body goal is something only you can set. No one can tell you what size or shape is right for you. However, if the shape you want is not the shape you have, then set a target and work towards it.
3. Learn How To Eat
So it turns out eating and eating right are two different things.
Achieving the body you want is 30% exercise and 70% diet. Learn what foods can help maximise your results, cut down on salt and sugar increase your protein and vegetable intake and don’t be scared of carbs. Excuse the cliché but, a good diet is a balanced one.
4. Exercise Often
No, walking from your desk to the office kitchen doesn’t count.
Work out at least 3 times a week, don’t be afraid of weights and try exercising with a friend or personal trainer for extra motivation. If you make working out fun, you won’t dread it as much, in fact eventually you’ll start to look forward to it.
5. Establish A Routine
On average, it takes more than two months before a new behaviour becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. So all you have to do is stick at it for two months and eventually it will become part of your life. If you want to maintain a fit and healthy body you have to accept that it’s all about making a positive (and permanent) lifestyle change.
6. Understand Where You’re Going Wrong
Everyone has a vice; whether it’s too much alcohol, too much sugar or too much snacking on the wrong things; if you’re having trouble achieving your goal weight, you’re probably going wrong somewhere. Many find that keeping a food diary is key in identifying where the extra weight is coming from.
Before you begin your diet, consider writing down everything you eat or drink for a week, after all, it’s hard to deny the truth when it’s written in front of you.
7. Don’t Turn A Cheat Meal Into A Cheat Day
Losing weight shouldn’t be slow and painful torture. If you fancy being a little bit bad, go ahead. Just remember that a cheat meal does not need to turn into a cheat day (or a cheat week).
Change that “I’ll start on Monday” attitude to “I’ll start after this cupcake” and you’re half way to success. Well, figuratively speaking anyway.
8. Don’t Expect To Work Out Once & Wake Up With A Booty Like Beyoncé.
It just doesn’t work like that.
It takes 4 weeks to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice and 12 weeks for the rest of the world. Keep at it and results will come.