Getting Started…

Getting started is without a doubt the most important step to achieving any goal. Step one is defining your goal. Do you want to just loose a few pounds? Tone up for the summer? Live a healthy life style? All of these are legitimate goals. Most of us want all of these things to some degree, so let’s say your goal is to lose weight as well as tone up.

So now that we’ve got the goal in mind lets get started. First you have to get a sense of what you are putting in your body on a day to day basis. Best way to do that is to keep a food journal. Write down everything you consume. From all major meals to a few carrots as a snack. You will need to find your high risk time frames, when you are temped to eat unhealthy. This will give you a tremendous advantage in the long run. You will notice almost immediately how much more conscious you are of what you are eating just by writing it down. So keep track. I will discuss in an upcoming blog what to do next with you diet.

Next is Cardio. Most people say they don’t really enjoy cardio. They think it’s this boring and they just don’t have the patience to sit on a machine for 45 minutes to an hour. The solution to that problem is… keep moving. If you can only stand to do 10 minute on the treadmill then do that. But then move directly to the bike. If that becomes tedious then move on the the olyptical after 10 minutes. Next thing you know you’ve just done a 30 minute workout and burned 500 calories. Congratulations! Another great way to do your cardio and have a good time is take classes. Most gyms offer a plethera of classes from cardio kick boxing to step, boot camp to yoga, etc. At some gyms it seems almost comical how may classes they offer. Personally I like going to all different classes to keep my body guessing.

Now the last piece of the puzzle: Weight Training. This is the part that I think scares people the most. Not knowing what to do in the gym is nothing to be ashamed of. I can’t think of one personal that I know that didn’t have someone teaching them how to work out the first time they went to the gym. It not something some people are just born with. They have to learn the right and the wrong ways just like everyone else. So be patient with your weight training. Don’t try to lift heavy just because the guy on the bench next to you is pushing up 275lb. Take your time to progress. Follow my blog and I’ll lead you in a safe and effective way to get the results you want.