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It is easy to start a fitness program with a hiss and a roar but it is also easy to fizzle out once the novelty has worn off. So, it is important to not only start strong but stay strong to help yourself stay motivated for the long haul. By making sure you are not making mistakes so you can minimize the time you spend exercising and maximize your results. 1.) Pick a quantifiable measurement for success. For example to 'lose fat' or 'get in better shape' is too broad and needs some real numbers to measure your progress. The best way is to have a body composition test (muscle/fat ratio). This will tell you how much fat you are losing and how much muscle tissue you are building or maintaining. A fitness professional at your local gym can do this for you.
2.) Too many big changes at once, because people seem to want dramatic and instant results. New exercise program, restricted calorie diet and taking up running all at the same time will only lead to failure when this high level cannot be maintained for more than a few weeks (if that long). Start slowly and add a little bit more each week is the way to go for sustainable changes in your lifestyle that will last. 3.) Is your lifestyle set up to help you get results? Many people have factors other than a lack of exercise contributing to their poor state of health. These people will stay out late drinking and try and get by on four hours sleep, but claim to not be able to get up an hour early to go to the gym on the way to work. A diet of processed and refined foods full of sugar, fat and chemicals and lacking fiber will not help improve health either. 4.) Expecting results from 'cardio' type activity. Things like walking, jogging or cycling are too low an intensity to stimulate 'growth and repair' hormones that speed the metabolism (the bodies engine) so you can burn more calories while not exercising. Only a program of strength training exercise can do this. Directly working the muscles under a load is the fastest most effective way to get into top shape as this is where the fat is burned - in the muscle tissue. 5.) Not putting enough effort into proper exercise. Many people go to the gym for an hour each day yet see little to no results. In most cases people exercise at too low of an intensity (not enough effort) which will produce no change at all. Have a fitness professional show you how to do things properly so you can achieve three time the results in half the time. If you can make sure you are not making these mistakes you will be more likely to make good progress towards your health and fitness goals. Remember you can't light a big fire, only a small one. Just make improvements over time as you get stronger and you will be amazed at how quickly you can make the necessary changes to your body that will knock it back 'into shape' in the fastest time.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "Ive Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Health Related Fitness For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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