Six easy steps to get fit

Getting in shape seems like a chore for millions of people around the world, who wonder how the heck others can get the daily motivation to want to exercise. You may be thinking that you need others to motivate you and that you need someone else to get you up and out to get in shape. The reality is that getting fit is all about you and what you yourself are prepared to do to make a difference. Remember, if even at first it seems like you want to give up and go back to being a couch potato, you just need to push yourself a little harder, and as time goes on, working out will seem less and less. a chore, and believe it or not, after a while you may even enjoy exercising!

Step 1

Self-motivation is key; believing that if you were the last person left on earth, you could still be as fit and healthy as possible without anyone else’s help.

To get started, you need a proper routine that you believe if you put in the effort, you’ll be able to stick to it. This routine should not be complicated and should include some type of exercise to start with. To be clear, not having enough time is not an excuse. There is always enough time, you just have to do it. Your routine can start off light, as long as you’re prepared to speed it up as time goes on. Go for a run every other day for 2 weeks; preferably early in the morning when your muscles have rested a bit overnight. Make sure the run is between 1 mile and 2 miles long. If you want, buy an mp3 player or an ipod so you can listen to music while you run/jog. After these 2 weeks, do the same run, but every day instead of every other day.

Step 2

Second, find an activity that is a form of exercise that you enjoy. It’s great when you can find an exercise that doesn’t really feel like exercise. Activities like dancing, mountain biking, swimming, or even rock climbing are activities that many people love to do just for fun, but these activities are also great forms of exercise. Once you’ve decided on your activity, make sure you can do at least 2 one-hour sessions a week, this may mean signing up for a membership at your local gym for swimming, etc. This exercise should be enjoyed and you should not stress over feeling like you have to do it. If that means you need to look further to find a physical activity you enjoy doing, then so be it.

Step 3

The next step sounds too simple to have any effect on you; but it really will. One tip for getting in shape is to walk as much as possible, even if it’s literally just a few steps at a time. Every time you move, you’re burning a small number of calories, so do your best to stay on your feet. For example, when you need to go to the stores, don’t drive, and instead walk ten minutes. Also, if you ever find yourself sitting for more than ten minutes, take a minute of walking to keep your body moving. This may seem too small and simple to do anything, but every little detail counts, and every time you take a little walk, you’re burning a few calories.

Stage 4

Now that you have acquired a body accustomed to general exercise in a daily routine, the next step is to focus on exercising particular parts of your body, helping your body to be in better shape. These exercises are still easy steps to follow, so don’t worry too much. Start by concentrating on your arms; there are a couple of simple exercises you can do that will tone and strengthen your arms. The idea here is to use a form of cardio that primarily engages your arm muscles. Such exercises are rowing (can be on a rowing machine) and jumping. Do each of these exercises for about 20 minutes to get your muscles moving. Doing a cardio workout for the arms along with some light weight work can really tone your arms really well, so don’t be afraid to do biceps curls, triceps dips, and hammer curls, too. Do a few sets of around 20 repetitions for each exercise using dumbbells.

step 5

After you’ve worked on the arms, it’s time to move on to the legs. Once again, these exercises are simple and easy to do. They will also work to tone and strengthen certain leg muscles. Just like with your arms, it’s key when it comes to toning your muscles to get a cardio workout focused on a particular part of your body. Spinning is great as it not only tones the legs but also firms the hip area. The only problem here is that most people have to sign up for a spin class in order to do this. However, there are a couple of cardio exercises for the legs that you can do at home, and here is a simple one that anyone can try. For this exercise, you simply need a ladder. Stand on the second step and place your hands on your hips, or even in front of you. Then slowly lower your left foot down and lightly touch the ground with the ball of your foot and toes, then bring it back up to the second step. Repeat this fifteen times, then do the same with your right foot. Do five sets of fifteen for each foot. When you move from the left foot to the right, take a short break of about ten seconds. As you do this exercise, you should feel a burn in your calves, but this will tell you that the exercise is working.

step 6

The last part of your body to focus on is your abs. Most men dream of having a defined and perfect abdomen, and most women want a slim, flat and toned stomach. It’s certainly not easy, though, so to get started, use some easy-to-do ab exercises to tone your abs. These exercises apply to both men and women, as they simply tone the abs, not build muscle. However, to begin with, I cannot stress enough that for men, you cannot build any muscle in your abs until you have burned off those extra fats around your belly. A good and easy exercise to start with; sit on a mat on the floor, bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the floor. Now cross your arms over your chest. Bend your head and shoulders toward your chest. Slowly lean back until you feel your muscles contract. Stay in this position for about five seconds; then return to the original position. Repeat this exercise ten times. But if you feel any discomfort, stop. Another simple exercise for the abs is to first lie on a mat, then bend your knees and place your feet flat on the mat. Put your hands behind your head and slowly stand up. Wait a few seconds; then lie down slowly. Repeat this 10 times. As noted above, if you feel pain or discomfort at any time, stop.

Referring to steps 4, 5 and 6, please complete these exercises every day as they are quick and easy to do. Asking you to complete an exercise program every day may sound difficult, but it’s actually easier than it sounds, just push yourself a little. Completing these six steps when indicated will really put you on your way to being a fitter and healthier person! Remember, however, it all depends on you, believe in yourself and with this help you will really achieve results.