#151 Beginner’s Guide To Getting In Shape

I am going to write a blog series on exercise and nutrition for beginners. I know what it’s like when you first get into the whole fitness thing, and there’s so much information out there that it can get a bit confusing. So I’m here to help with that! This blog post is a general guide on where to start.

1. Why Is This Time Going To Be Different?

I’m assuming that you may have tried to get healthy or lose weight previously, and something has gone wrong. Or this could be your first time – all the best to you! For those who are re-starting, how did you go last time? Why were you not successful? What made you fall off the bandwagon?

Answering these questions will help you understand what NOT to do this time! If counting calories makes you binge eat? Don’t do it. If lifting heavy weights doesn’t give you the look you’re after? Don’t do it. If you hated running? Don’t do it! Whatever it is that DIDN’T work for you last time, is probably not going to work for you this time. So change it up!

2. Know That It Is Going To Take Hard Work & Time

There are SO many websites and programs out there that promise you amazing results in short periods of time and with little effort. If you want sustainable weight loss, or just a sustainable healthy lifestyle, it is going to take both hard work and time. You’re not going to make a million changes overnight and emerge as this super healthy person. And there’s going to be some tough times where you want to give up and times when you even go backwards.

As long as you know this and are mentally ready to deal with this.

3. Set A Goal / Have A Reason

I can’t stress how important goal setting is. You will honestly be more likely to follow through with this new healthy lifestyle if you set goals and WRITE THEM DOWN. So what I want you to do RIGHT NOW, is to set some goals. Make sure they are as specific as can be. And then make a plan of attack as to how you are going to achieve that goal.

4. Build A Support Network

Having a good support network is going to help you learn, motivate you, and help you in times of need. This could be in the form of a family member / friend going through the same thing, or a workout buddy, or just a close friend, or all of the above! But make sure you have at least someone that you can talk to about this stuff.

5. Educate Yourself

You’re not going to know how to eat right and do the right type of exercises for your body if no one has ever told you. So today is the day to do some research! You will need to know:

• Your body type (have a read of my blog post here). This will help you determine what exercises and foods are best for you.
• Best exercises for you. Make a workout program / schedule for yourself.
• How to eat healthy. Make a nutrition program for yourself for next week. Write out all of your meals and snacks and then prepare all of your meals to suit. Check out my daily diet here.

There is a lot of research to be done! However I do have a lot of this information on my blog.

Here are some workout blog posts to get you started:

• Beginner weights program
• Best ab exercises for a flat and toned stomach
• Beach body HIIT workout
• Last week’s workouts
• My favourite travel workouts

Here are some nutrition blog posts to get you started:

• Clean eating guidelines
• Nutrition Q&A 1
• Nutrition Q&A 2
• Quick fix your diet
• 8 common diet mistakes
• My daily diet
• Low carb diets – good or bad?
• What to eat to get rid of belly fat

I will be covering everything else in my next few blog posts! So stay tuned xx