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Beginning A Fitness Program
Beginning a fitness program is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are guidelines that
will help you start and maintain a successful program.
Check with your doctor. If you've been sedentary for several years, or you're over 35, or you have
any medical conditions (high blood pressure, heart trouble etc.), you need to check with your doctor before
you start working out.
Set goals. Goal setting has been scientifically proven to work. Goals produce action. Goals
create energy and motivation. Goals keep you focused. Visit the Effective Goal Setting
page for more information.
Make health and fitness a priority. Your fitness program has to be non-negotiable. Make time
for your workouts and schedule them on your calendar or planner. Don't change your workout plans for every
interruption that comes along. Create a Healthy Eating Plan and stick to
it. Exercise and healthy eating have to become things you do without question, like brushing your teeth or going
to work.
Start slowly and be patient. Many people attempt to do too much too soon when they first start
working out, and they get injured or burn out. You need to start slowly and be patient. Getting fit is not an
overnight proposition, it's a lifestyle commitment. Don't expect immediate or dramatic changes in your body shape
or weight. Although changes are happening internally, most external changes will take several weeks or months.
Stay focused on your fitness program and enjoy the internal changes - increased energy, less stress and anxiety,
higher self-esteem, and an increased feeling of well-being.
Choose exercises that work best for you. Try different exercises in order to determine which ones your
body responds best to. Experimenting with different exercises is fun, and once you determine which exercises work
best for you, you'll be more motivated to work out and you'll enjoy your workouts more.
Increase your daily physical activity. In addition to your regularly scheduled workouts, increase your
daily physical activity. This will help you in developing a healthy lifestyle. Take a walk on your lunch break,
park in the back of the parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator. There are many ways to increase
your daily physical activity.
Reward yourself. Making behavior changes can be hard, and rewards will motivate you. As you reach your
fitness goals, reward yourself with whatever makes you feel good.
As you can see, beginning a fitness program doesn't have to be complicated. Just follow these basic guidelines
and you'll be well on your way to becoming fit and healthy.
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