It's important when starting any fitness plan to keep your goals realistic. The best way to do this is split up your final goal into smaller more achievable goals, this will prevent you from feeling like you aren't getting anywhere.
Be Healthy!
The main thing to remember with a fitness or health goal is that true transformation takes time. It won't just happen overnight (even though that'd be nice). It may be possible to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, but it doesn't mean you should. Often quick weight-loss methods are unhealthy and only short term. Making the decision to get and be fit shouldn't be a short-term goal, but rather a long-term life goal. When your weight is yo-yoing, it's generally because the methods that are being used to lose the weight aren't realistic or are causing their body stress. Stop with fad diets, a great body is simpler than we make it: eating healthy/clean and exercising on a regular basis (yes, even for just 30 min. a day) will make a huge difference.
Motivation!
Losing weight and getting fit can be a difficult process, especially when you're looking at your long-term weight-loss goals. Feeling overwhelmed can be detrimental when it comes to getting healthy because you feel overwhelmed with the task of eating well and working out - therefore you're more likely to give up completely because you feel like your goals are unobtainable. It's better to take your big goals and then break them into smaller goals, which can be accomplished over the span of two weeks or a month; even making daily goals can help! Setting goals can make you feel inspired and motivated, also there's something oddly rewarding about crossing off things on a list.
Start Slow
Everyone wants to just hop in and go full speed with workouts, but that sets you up for injury and being too tired to complete the next days workout. Creating a fitness calendar for yourself that has a start and end date by which you would like to achieve a certain level of endurance or ability to lift a certain amount of weight can help you build on your workouts! Gradually increasing run distance/time and the amount of weight you lift will help you reach your goal and can make you feel great about your new found 'abilities'.
Be Healthy!
The main thing to remember with a fitness or health goal is that true transformation takes time. It won't just happen overnight (even though that'd be nice). It may be possible to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, but it doesn't mean you should. Often quick weight-loss methods are unhealthy and only short term. Making the decision to get and be fit shouldn't be a short-term goal, but rather a long-term life goal. When your weight is yo-yoing, it's generally because the methods that are being used to lose the weight aren't realistic or are causing their body stress. Stop with fad diets, a great body is simpler than we make it: eating healthy/clean and exercising on a regular basis (yes, even for just 30 min. a day) will make a huge difference.
Motivation!
Losing weight and getting fit can be a difficult process, especially when you're looking at your long-term weight-loss goals. Feeling overwhelmed can be detrimental when it comes to getting healthy because you feel overwhelmed with the task of eating well and working out - therefore you're more likely to give up completely because you feel like your goals are unobtainable. It's better to take your big goals and then break them into smaller goals, which can be accomplished over the span of two weeks or a month; even making daily goals can help! Setting goals can make you feel inspired and motivated, also there's something oddly rewarding about crossing off things on a list.
Start Slow
Everyone wants to just hop in and go full speed with workouts, but that sets you up for injury and being too tired to complete the next days workout. Creating a fitness calendar for yourself that has a start and end date by which you would like to achieve a certain level of endurance or ability to lift a certain amount of weight can help you build on your workouts! Gradually increasing run distance/time and the amount of weight you lift will help you reach your goal and can make you feel great about your new found 'abilities'.
This is a really important component of setting an effective and realistic fitness goal. Reward yourself by buying a magazine or even get some new workout clothes or shoes! It's good to reward yourself after you've met one of your smaller goals, this will keep you motivated and is basically like a pat on the shoulder for yourself!
Cheat Days
We've probably all heard of cheat days - where you stop taking in consideration your calories, carbs, ect. And while I'm 100% for cheat days, it's important to minimize and plan them. Have a certain day on your calendar marked, especially if you know there's an event coming up where you'll be going out. I usually plan a cheat day once every two weeks or once a month. And while it is a break from the healthy lifestyle you're trying to live, it's important that you don't overdo it. Having a soda or frozen yogurt is a good idea, while eating a pizza, fries, a burger, and half a tub of ice-cream is not; it can get you off track quick and can make you feel sick and sluggish the next day.
Remember, it's okay to change your goals as you go! Stay motivated, stay positive and start making your lifestyle changing goals today!