5 Things You Need To Start Getting Fit And Healthy

You know need to start woking out and eating healthier, but you haven’t gotten around to it. You’ve been thinking about it for weeks, months, or even years, but you just won’t start. Is it because you’re lazy? Or because you’re a procrastinator? Why can’t you just do it? Take it easy! You’re probably lacking one of these five things.

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To be honest, I know exactly how you feel. I spent years thinking that I should eat right and exercise without doing anything about it. I even started to think I should just accept the fact that I was going to be overweight the rest of my life. But you know what? I didn’t know I was lacking these five things, and that’s why it took me so long to get started.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Lao Tzu

Taking the first step is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, believe me. In fact, the beginning is the most important part of any process, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. That said, you also shouldn’t stay stuck at the starting line forever. So, what in the world do you need to take that darn first step? Probably one of these things.

5 Things You Need To Start A Fitness Plan

1. Self love

I know you probably hate those fat rolls and that belly pooch, but you can’t hate your body for it. Your body is beautiful because it’s the only one you have. It may be out of shape, but all it needs is a little TLC. And don’t even think about torturing your body with crash diets or pills! That’s not going to do you any good. If want to get fit and healthy, you have to love yourself first. Are you feeling the love yet?

Once you start loving yourself, you’ll be willing to work hard to improve your health and fitness.

2. A powerful reason to change

In order to get fit and healthy, you have to change your lifestyle. And in order to change, you need to have a very powerful reason to do so. Let me tell you that looking great in jeans is not good enough. I didn’t have a reason to change until I saw someone dear to me die from diabetes and heart disease. I decided that my kids deserve a to have a healthy, active mom with them for many years. What’s your powerful reason?

A powerful reason will get you started and keep you going through the setbacks.

3. A goal you can reach

A goal is reachable when it’s sensible and specific. Don’t just say you want to lose weight. How many pounds is that, exactly? After I had my baby, I decided I had to lose 55 pounds so I could get my pre-pregnancy weight back. I kept my eye on that long-term goal, set mini monthly goals,  and reached it after 18 months of hard work. What your reachable goal?

Having a goal is important, but what’s really going to change you is the journey.

4. A plan you can follow

Clearly, you need to eat healthier and workout, but you also need a plan. What are you going to eat? How are you going to prepare your meals? What kind of exercise are you going to do? How many times a week? You need to answer these questions so can start taking care of yourself. You could ask a doctor, a nutritionist or a health coach to help you with this. What’s your plan to follow?

Be flexible. You can change the plan, but not the goal.

5. Friends to support you

It’s extremely important to know someone’s got your back before you start working on your fitness goals. If the people around you won’t do it, then you also need new friends. But seriously, you can join an online group or a support group. Having a community will keep you on track when you feel like giving up, and it will keep you accountable. Do you have a community?

Accountability is the only way you can commit to a health and fitness plan. 

Are you all set?

If have everything on the list, then that means you are absolutely ready to embark on your health and fitness journey. But even if you still don’t feel like you can take that dreaded first step, I’ll tell you a little secret.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney

Suggestions to start

It was scary for me to start changing my lifestyle, but I felt much better when I realized I didn’t have to make big changes to begin. Just pick one thing on this list and you’ll start getting healthy and fit!

Eat something healthy everyday

• Have at least one or two servings of produce at every meal. Green smoothies are great for this!
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
• Avoid processed food.

Do a little exercise everyday

• Start by walking 10 or 15 minutes a day.
• Do a 5-minute workout.
• Sign up for something where you have to move, even if it’s not strictly exercise, like dancing lessons or patrolling the neighborhood.

Learn how to de-stress

• Do yoga or practice meditation.
• Do deep-breathing exercises.
• Keep a journal.

Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night

• Don’t have a heavy dinner and don’t snack before bed.
• Turn off all your devices at least an hour before bedtime.
• Do a little light reading before you sleep.
• Try to go to bed 10 minutes earlier everyday.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King

Are you finally ready to start a health and fitness plan? Tell me about it!