How to Make Your Fitness Goals a Reality

Many of us would like to be thinner, more toned or more physically fit. We wish we could look and feel better if we could just fit into our clothes a little better. This would also give us an overall boost to our self-confidence and self-esteem.

The main challenge is making that happen.

If you’re like the vast majority of people, you’ve probably tried different diet programs and training routines in the past without much success.

So, what can you do to change this story?

How do you make sure that – this time – things go according to plan?

Here are some pointers to help you out!

Slow and Steady

The journey to fitness starts with a single step and the biggest biceps (if you want those) start with a single curl. One big issue that a lot of people have when it comes to setting their fitness goals, is that they make them far too ambitious.

Tip: Go back to this video to remind yourself how to set SMART goals.

If you’re starting a diet that involves eating absolutely no carbs, or if you’re starting a training regime that involves working out for an hour and a half 5 times per week, then you’re likely going to struggle to adapt your lifestyle.

The ‘Minimum Effective Dose’

Instead, use the ‘MED’ or ‘Minimum Effective Dose’ and then make sure that you don’t work harder than necessary in the gym (if you do go there).

If you are watching calories, it is not recommended for an average person to go below 1200 calories.

You also need to remember that

• protein has calories
• fat has calories
• carbs have calories.

And if you’re just starting out with a workout routine, you do not need to be training for more than an hour.

Especially if you have underlying issues: no more than 20 to 30 minutes for up to 3 days per week. Make sure to see your doctor FIRST before taking up any exercise regimen.

Maximize Your Resources for Success

So that means taking up one of those “easier” workouts right?

You know, the ones that cram a short HIIT workout in after your work hours for example?

Maybe you’re tempted by the various different diet programs that claim they include meals that only take 10 minutes to prepare.

Hmmmm…

Be wary! While many of these programs sound quick, what they fail to mention is:

• The time it takes to get to the gym
• The extra washing at home that you may have to do after training
• The time it takes to shower after the workout
• The time it takes to get back home
• How tired you might be following your workouts and how this is going to impact on your subsequent productivity

Likewise, those diet plans forget to include:

• The time/money involved in acquiring all those exotic ingredients (especially if you’re on a tight budget)
• The prep time: chopping those onions, pre-heating the oven, etc.
• The time it takes to wash up afterwards
• The fact that sometimes ingredients won’t be available, or that you’ll have guests round

Point is: even the easiest routine is going to include hidden elements that end up taking up more time and stress.

Of course, this just might be OK with you. You might already be a very productive person with all the necessary resources to hand.

You might have already developed good habits to a high degree.

If not, then your job is to try and rework the guidelines to fit your lifestyle and your routine specifically.

For example, you could work out at home instead of at the gym. That way you could train in your pyjamas. It also means you don’t have to travel.

Likewise, think about recipes that will be genuinely easy to make and the tools and appliances that can help make them even easier still.

Smoothies, very popular here in the US, are more work than they sound, partly because of the washing up – so try a NutriBullet™!

Tip: If you are doing fruit-based smoothies, consider the sugar content.

PS: I’ll discuss HIIT workouts in another post.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay