When you want to start a fitness program, you may feel intimidated and confused. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To tell the truth, getting fit is one of the most direct task you can attempt. You only need two things: discipline (that you have to provide) and a straightforward guideline (that I am happy to provide).

Before anything, you should get a full physical from your doctor. This is a must for people that have high cholesterol, diabetes or are obese. When you get your doctor’s approval to begin your excersie program you then schedule a fitness test with your personal trainer at your gym.

Maybe these can be annoying for you, but they are essential to your well-being and success. The benefit are obvious when you visit your doctor, specially if you have any of the mentioned conditions and can also help your doctor check your lifestyle. Always include your doctor as part of your fat loss and health team, along with your health coach at the gym.

Your fitness assesment will help find what your body is capable of, so you don’t injure yourself when starting your fat loss program. It’s better to know what are your weakeness and strenghts.

The secret here is to start slow to reach your fitness success. If you want to pick up your University workouts where you left them 10 years ago, that’s fine. But I guarantee you won’t last a week. And you will fear the day when you have to start again.

The hidden benefit of a good fitness assessment is that it will actually serve as a nice introductory workout to your return to fitness. It will buffer your delusions of fitness grandeur from the reality of what your body actually can do. After the fitness assessment teaches your body a lesson and awakens your muscles from their winter slumber, only then will you realize your limits that you must respect in subsequent workouts.

Goal-setting is the fourth secret to success (and not just in fitness, but in any area of life). It is much more effective to commit to a set of specific short-term and long-term goals than it is to routinely hope for weight loss each year. Set realistic goals and remember to train within your limits. If you are currently sedentary and haven’t exercised in months (or years), don’t begin an advanced training program. Start with a conservative beginner program. Your belly wasn’t built in a day, and neither will be lost overnight.

Limit your initial workouts to 1 set per muscle group. In week 2, you should be ready to add another set. And if you want to build up to 3 sets, then do so in week 3. Slowly increase the weight and stay within your desired repetition range. At no time should you be too sore to function. And runners should also heed this advice. Too much running will guarantee shin splints in the early going. Avoid running on back to back days for the first two weeks and keep the distance short. Sore muscles are guaranteed when you lift. So keep the volume low.

Ok, now you are ready for two fantastic secrets that will help you stay commited to your fitness program and really start losing fat once and for all.

First, get a social support team. This can be your family (like your spouse, kids, parents and brother) or your close friends. Don’t try to do it alone. They are part of your success. People respond better when they report to a person instead of a machine.

You also need to know that nutrition is the second most important factor for success in fat loss programs. That’s why you don’t need to train like a world-class athlete when you are starting to lose fat. Most of the fat you’ll lose in the early going is because you have chosen to make better nutritional choices. And if you don’t make better nutritional choices, even the best exercise program in the world isn’t going to help you achieve your fat loss goals.

Nutrition should not be difficult. Just try to be reasonable in your food choices. If necesary, consult your doctor. Remember to cut sugar and syrups and check your calorie intake constantly.

Consistency with this plan will achieve your fat loss program without problems. Remember that this is for your future health.

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