Getting Started On Your Own Fitness Program
Deciding to go on a fitness program is not hard
. However, sustaining your interest and dedication can be challenging. Below are eight steps that can help you achieve.
1.Make a commitment.
After you have made your decision to start on a healthy lifestyle, get to it straightaway. It is important to do something before your enthusiasm wears off. If you keep at it, pretty soon you will begin reaping the rewards of your better lifestyle and these in turn will inspire you to go further.
2.Set your goals.
Your overall aim is to become healthier and more fit but you also need to come up with specific goals. These will give you a definite direction and plan of action. What is your target weight? How much time are you giving yourself to accomplish it? What diet plan will you follow? Your answers to such questions constitute your goals.
If you need help in setting your goals, here are a few tips you can follow:
3. Seek out information.
After setting your goals, seek the advice of professionals. Needless to say, professionals charge for their services. If you don't have the budget for it, you can go online and link up with a web-based qualified personal trainer. Their rates are much lower than their counterparts in the gym.
4. Design your program.
You can actually design your own exercise regiment although you should be ready to do a lot of research. A given program is not guaranteed to work for everyone because people respond differently to exercise. When designing your program you need to factor in your age, sex, body type and medical history just to name a few. Find out what exercise component you need to focus on. Do you need to work on your cardiovascular endurance? Are your muscles too tight that you need to give priority to flexibility training? Such questions will help you determine the kind of exercises you need to include in your program.
A basic program includes a full body strength training workout thrice a week. This means lifting weights or using machines to develop and tone your muscles. You should end the session by doing at least half an hour of cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, stairclimbing, or aerobic dance. If you add one more cardiovascular workout during the week, you would be able to get the best results.
5. Nutrition.
A complete program includes following a sensible and balanced diet. You should also know what foods to avoid, what to eat more of, what cooking methods to use, and when to eat. Do your research but make sure your information comes only from credible sources.
6. Make sure you stay motivated.
There are people who can motivate themselves, however most of us need someone to encourage us and cheer us on. Find someone to partner with who can provide you with support and to whom you can be accountable. Make sure you pick one who is not easily discouraged or else that person might end up pulling you down.
Family and peer support is also important. Based on research, those who have the support from loved ones and friends are more likely to succeed than those who don't.
Make your workout fun and interesting. Many people quit because they get bored doing the same thing over and over again. Change your routine once in a while. You can substitute a recreational activity that is just as challenging or join group classes such as yoga or aqua aerobics.
7. Know when to change your program.
A workout program needs to be changed every 3-4 weeks because after that time, your body will have built up the strength to complete the routine without any difficulty. To keep on progressing, there is a need to increase the intensity of the program and/or take out some exercise and add in some new ones. If you stay on the same program, you will hit what is known as a plateau wherein your body will stop responding positively to the exercise regimen.
8. Seek professional help.
The most reliable and expedient way to shape up is to work with a certified personal trainer. Although you can design your fitness program yourself, the research involved before you can come up with a good one will take a lot of time and effort. A certified personal trainer will not only design you a personalized program, he or she will also teach you how to do the exercises properly and assist you as you go through your routine. It is definitely the best way to go.
by: Charles Volcolatte
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