Home :: Workout Articles :: Starting Out

Starting Out

As I look back on the many, many, many exercise, diet and nutrition programs I've put myself through, one thing stands out most of all. Although most programs are fairly sound (Acme bun-o-sizers aside) most people will fail on these programs. It's a shame too, because most people have great intentions and actually want to work hard at getting in shape. So why do they fail? For the same reason I failed over and over until I finally found something that allowed me to use a variety of different types of programs and always succeed.

What is this "secret to success"? It's simply this. The people who succeed in getting in shape have no more willpower than anyone else, nor do they have some superhuman metabolism or some miracle supplement. They do however have an important ability that others overlook. They have a plan. O.K., so you think it's a joke, right? Well, it's strictly serious stuff and it is THE most important element of any program. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"?

No matter what the program, you need to do two things. Start a calendar to show what you will do for the coming week. This includes your workouts, nutrition and supplementation and it's a good idea to place any upcoming events on it as well, so you can avoid any possible conflicts or pitfalls which might interrupt your exercise or nutrition schedule. Secondly, start a journal to record what you accomplish during the week. It will motivate you and you can adjust the following week based problem areas you had this week.

With your calendar and journal in place, it’s time to maximize your chances to fulfill your new goals. The most important is your nutrition. You heard me right, nutrition. What about exercise you say? The truth is, exercise can be hit and miss and still effective. Nutrition on the other hand can be a bit more fickle. Think of food as a drug. When you visit the doctor and he writes you a prescription, does he say, “take two pills this morning, one this afternoon and about a handful whenever you feel like it”? That’s because food regulates all your body’s vital functions and just like medication, too little or too much or the wrong kind can wreak havoc on your body.

Now, knowing the importance of proper nutrition, how do you make the most of it? With your nutrition calendar set up, you have conquered step one. Step two is what I call bag it and drag it. Most people fail at nutrition even after they plan it out because they get side tracked. They get stuck at work or don’t have time to make what’s on the menu and so forth.

Here are some simple things I do to help eliminate these pitfalls. Use them as a guide, but remember, your issues are yours, so tailor these to your specific needs. First of all I take the slowest day of the week, Sunday for me, and I start cooking. I make all my meals and snacks except for dinner and I bag everything in individual portions; 3 oz. of chicken in one, broccoli in one, cottage cheese in another until all my needs are bagged. Every day, no matter where I plan to eat, I take my meals and snacks with me for that day, plus an extra meal or bar. Now, no matter what my pitfall, I have everything with me to eat what I need. I eat dinner with my family, so I don’t pre-make this meal, but note that I do take something extra with me in case dinner gets side tracked.

Remember, a dream is just a goal without a plan. So, start your program on the fast track to success by starting with a solid plan.

By Steve Breeden

Customer testimonial:

Starting Out

yahoo store design