7 Strategies to Getting Started on a Fitness and Weight Loss Program

It has been 41 years since Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon. His famous line,"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" will live on forever.

You know, it's always that first step that can be so scary. But, when the goal is special and your "WHY?" is big enough, it's also extremely exciting. And, that's just how it should be. In fact, Bob Proctor always says, "If you're goal doesn't both excite you and scare you it's probably not worthy of you."

So, do you have a BIG GOAL with a BIG "WHY?"that would make you so excited to acheive, yet you are too scared to get started?

Allow me a few minutes to put it in perspective, and give you 7 Tips to Getting Started on a Weight Loss & Fitness Program.

OK. First of all, realize there is truly nothing to be scared of. Maybe that's not very original, but it's so true.

Let's say you want to lose 30 pounds in the next 6 months because you want to look and feel your best for a family reunion. Perhaps, you've always been the heavy one and you feel uncomfortable around everyone else in your family. It would mean the world to you to show up feeling and looking amazing. Just the thought of the looks on everyone's faces gets you fired up!

Now, as much as that picture excites you, you're also scared to death to start ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM, because you're afraid of failing AGAIN. Or, maybe you're actually afraid of joining a health club or local weight loss boot camp program because you think you'll be "the fat one." "I don't know if I'll be able to keep up. What if I look like a fool?" Sound familiar?

Well, here are my 7 Tips to Getting Started on a Weight Loss & Fitness Program

1. Write down exactly what you want to accomplish and why. Explain it in full detail. How will you look? What will you wear? How will you feel? Let the emotions out. GET EXCITED!

2. Read and update/edit the document you just created EVERY MORNING and EVERY NIGHT - at least. Read it aloud. Feel the emotions. GET EXCITED!

3. REALIZE THIS - even if you were to work your butt off and fail to accomplish your ultimate goal (which is unlikely to happen if you follow a solid program) you will still be way ahead of where you are today. "Shoot for the moon because even if you miss you'll be among the stars." - I'm not sure who originally said that.

4. REALIZE THIS - most of the people who join a weight loss & fitness program are trying to lose weight also! You're NOT going to be the only one there with weight loss goals, and nobody is going to judge you because they're there to accomplish the same thing.

5. DON'T TRY TO DO IT ALONE - almost everyone who tries to lose weight on his or her own fails in the long-term. Unless you're a weight loss and fitness expert, you have no business trying to lead yourself through a weight loss and fitness program. You won't find me changing the transmission on my car! Hell, I don't even change the oil. HIRE A TRAINER. If you can't afford one, try an ONLINE resource.

6. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE FINISH LINE - life will dish out so many distractions. You need to PLAN & PROTECT. Plan out your days, weeks and even months if you have to. Protect yourself from anything that could get in the way of your workouts and healthy meals. And, when necessary, do as the Marine's do - IMPROVISE, ADAPT & OVERCOME.

7. "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up." - Winston Churchill

Now, GET AFTER IT!

HAVE FAITH & TAKE ACTION! Justin Yule, BS, CPT, YFS