If you’re looking to get in shape, it can be hard to know where to start. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available on how to stay healthy and fit. But with so many options out there, it’s also easier than ever before for people who are new at fitness or have fallen off the wagon in recent years to find a program that is right for them.

Fortunately, all that information isn’t necessary when you follow these six essential steps:

#Step 1: Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals will help keep your motivation high and prevent frustration during your journey towards achieving your goal(s). There are two types of goals — short-term and long-term. Short-term goals should be set for each week or month, while long-term goals should focus on your overall plan to get in shape.

Here are some examples of the two types of goal-setting:

Short-Term Goal(s): Each Monday, I will start my day with a 20-min jog.

Long-Term Goal(s): By December 31st, 2023, I will have lost 10 pounds by following a low-carb diet and exercising five days per week.

#Step 2: Develop A Plan Of Action

When it comes to fitness, there are countless options available for people who want to work out. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed when trying to pick the right workout regimen for you, focus on creating a plan that emphasizes one or two different workout types.

For example, instead of committing to a full-body circuit five days per week, only focus on creating a plan that includes three or four days of strength training and two or three days of cardio. This way, you won’t burn yourself out by trying to do too much at once — which can occur if you try to commit to an intense schedule like working out every day of the week.

#Step 3: Stay Motivated

Staying motivated throughout your fitness journey is essential for achieving results quickly and staying on track towards your long-term goals. For this reason, it’s important that you figure out how to stay motivated before beginning any workout regimen.

Here are some ways to stay motivated:

Write down your goals and hang them somewhere visible; every day, look at the list of reasons why you want to get in shape. Tell yourself that it’s time to achieve something great and do something new. This will not only serve as a reminder but can also serve as a source of motivation when things begin to get tough along the way.

#Step 4: Hire Professionals To Help You

A personal trainer can help you to develop a regimen that meets your needs and helps you stay motivated. Most importantly, they’ll hold you accountable for working out each day and follow through on any other steps outlined in this article!

Also, hiring a dietician can help you to develop an efficient food plan. A dietician can recommend changes to your current eating habits and create a weight-loss meal plan that meets your needs.

#Step 5: Plan For Obstacles

No matter how committed we are to achieving our goals, obstacles will inevitably stand in our way during our journey. Therefore, it’s important that you plan ahead and be prepared for any roadblocks that might occur.

Here are some helpful strategies:

Create a support crew — tell your family and friends about your goals so that they can provide you with encouragement and help to stay on track.

Know when enough is enough — even the most diligent individuals cannot go through a journey without experiencing some sort of setback or roadblock. For this reason, it’s important to know when enough is enough and to take a break from working out for a day or two if necessary.

#Step 6: Prepare Your Body

Your body needs time to adjust before you start attempting intense workouts every day of the week. Therefore, preparing your body for what you plan on doing in the future is essential for healthy living. Here are some helpful strategies:

Train with light weights at first

Use smaller weights while developing strength because muscle soreness can cause setbacks during intense workouts.

Climb the stairs

Incorporate simple exercises whenever possible without pushing yourself too hard. This way, you’ll slowly build up your stamina and endurance to minimize muscle soreness later on.

Incorporate short increments of cardio first

Start on a low setting on the treadmill or elliptical machine, and increase how long you run or walk as time goes by.

The six steps to achieving your fitness goals will help you set realistic goals, develop a plan of action, stay motivated and overcome any obstacles that may stand in your way. Follow these tips for lasting success!