Getting and staying in shape has everything to do with what goes on inside your head. There are many effective approaches to fitness, but none of them will work if you don’t have the right mind set. These 8 tips will lead you to fitness success.

Make fitness a priority

This is the first decision that must be made. Care enough for yourself and your loved ones to make your health and fitness a priority.

Set Goals

Take both a long range and short range view of diet and exercise. Focus on daily goals and take committed action. when obstacles come up, don’t let short term failure get you down – remember your long term objectives. Progress toward your goal is will keep you motivated.

Plan

Preparation is the key to your success. Getting fit is a process. It will not happen by accident. Determine when, where, and how you are going to do it.

Be disciplined

Act on your plan. Follow through on your commitments regardless of how you feel.

Get a support person

A personal trainer or workout buddy will be a huge help. Having a support person will provide accountability, motivation, and someone to share in your success.

Don’t compare yourself to others

Focus on self-improvement. Challenge yourself to set new personal bests.

Find your inspiration

Changing your diet and exercise behaviors are going to require continued strong emotional commitment. The more excited you are about your fitness goals the more possible they become. Believe in a bigger possibility for yourself.

Take action

Start today. There’s no reason to put it off. Do something good for yourself today to get healthy and strong. Build on that action and keep it up, one day at a time.

BY Savannah Grandfather

This past weekend I spent time at my son’s soccer tournament.  I was reminded of the fun of simple movements like running and jumping.  As we age these kinds of movements become more difficult.  The effects are made worse by a sedentary lifestyle.

For years I’ve designed and used complex workout programs.  Most of the time these workouts were machine-based.  I also did a lot with free weights.  In some circumstances a complicated workout may serve a purpose ( I trained as a bodybuilder for awhile).  For most people, most of the time, simple is better.

Moving through life is about walking and running, jumping and squatting, pushing and pulling.  As a kid my days were full of those simple movements.  Even when I was in sports I wasn’t thinking in terms of exercising.  That’s why we say, “I play baseball”, not “I exercise baseball.”  Making it a game made it fun.

This is one of the reasons why the Fitness Boot Camp has re-energized me.  It’s fun.  It’s like playing again.

Exercise vs. Play

These days most of us (even personal trainers) don’t have to exert ourselves as we work.  Because of this kind of lifestyle we have to be intentional about exercising ( even personal trainers).  However, exercise doesn’t have to be dull and boring.  We don’t have to treat working out like work.

When’s the last time you worked up a good sweat while playing? Play isn’t necessarily easy.  At 6AM on Monday mornings we play hard!  That’s our motto. 

There are a lot of good reasons to get fit.  One important reason for me is that I want to be able to play hard.  I want to be active and enjoy my kids.  Your situation may not be the same as mine.  Maybe you don’t have children, or maybe yours are grown and out of the house.  Find something you want to play at and make that your goal.

The idea of fun and fitness may seem odd, especially if exercise has always been like taking medicine.  It’s time to change your thinking.  Let me know if I can help.