Get in shape in 2008
Ready to get serious about your health and body shape?
Follow the 10 steps below if you are serious about boosting your fitness, living a healthier lifestyle and even having the body of your dreams in 2008.
1. Persistence
In a study carried out over a 10 year period in the US by The National Metabolic and Longevity Research Center they found that persistence is the single most important aspect of any diet or fitness program. The study followed a group of people (Group A) who exercised and dieted very strictly, but sporadically and compared those results with a second group (Group B) who exercised mildly and followed a very basic diet, but this group never varied from their routine. Even though Group B exercised and dieted far less (but did so persistently) they got 68% better results than those who exercised and dieted strictly but infrequently.
2. Exercise with others
Exercising with others will get you results faster. You are less likely to let other people down. Also when you hit a tough patch, a training partner can be a great source of motivation and support. Even if you just want to get into the habit of going for a walk, can you go with a family member or neighbour?
3. Don't take bad advice.
As the saying goes ‘don’t seek directions from someone who has never left home.’ Only take the advice of those people who look fit and healthy themselves and who are knowledgeable about the subject. (This applies to everything, not just fitness.)
4. Surround yourself with supportive influences.
One of the key qualities of all successful people is that they avoid negative people and they spend the majority of their time with people who have already achieved what they themselves seek to achieve. So if your goal is to get fit by eating healthy and living a life full of energy, then seek out others who already do this and determine what can you learn from them. Hanging out with people who just talk about getting in shape but never take persistent action will ensure that you never reach your goal. Birds of a feather and all that!
5. Think New Thoughts
The people who succeed at losing weight and maintaining the loss are usually motivated by a dream much bigger and more positive than just losing weight. They see themselves living a healthy lifestyle. They begin to act and think like people who are in good physical shape. They change their thinking and the change in their actions follow automatically. It wouldn't be possible to effect and sustain such a radical change unless the person is motivated by a big dream that is positive in nature.
6. Visualise your result
Imagine in your mind how you will look and feel, and the life you will be living when you achieve your goal. How will you know you have achieved your goal unless you have determined what success means to you. So, take 10 minutes when you know you are not going to be disturbed and daydream about what you will look like when you have achieved your goal. Be specific. Writing out this description will make your goal seem much more real. Review what you have written every day and reconnect with your image of the new you. Connect with how achieving this result will make you feel. What will you be doing differently? What will you be saying and thinking when you have achieved your goal?
7. Increase your water intake
As we all know water is a key component of life. If you do not consume enough fresh water every day, your body will age faster, appear fatter and be more susceptible to germs.
8. Bin the junk food
Most people eat way too much sugar and fat. The key is moderation and the exclusion of junk food. The occasional visit to the chippie is ok if you are already quite fit and healthy but eating processed foods several times a week is a recipe for an early grave.
9. Increase the number of meals but reduce the portion size.
On average, you should be eating some form of protein and vegetable combination that's low in fat and high in fiber every 2 -3 hours of the day. Remember our stomachs are only the size of our clenched fists, so watch portion sizes. Healthy eating is not about starving yourself, it is eating well and regularly, fueling the body with the nutrients it needs.
10. Its all about Cardio...
Cardiovascular exercising (running, walking, rowing, swimming, dancing, cycling etc.) does more for the health and the appearance of the human body than any other form of exercise. Learn how much and what type of cardio is right for your particular body. Then refer back to point 1.
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