Knowing how to get fit often becomes confusing, complicated and ultimately frustrating for many. But I stay firm in my belief that it does not have to be the insurmountable challenge many now find it to be. So how can we strip it down, simplify the process and help you succeed in making yours a Fit Life?
I have identified 9 effective steps to show you how to get fit and live your very best life. Let me first say and get the notion out of the way that getting fit is not about achieving a ripped, cover model body. It is about being functionally fit and strong, lean, toned, with healthy cardio capacity and overall physical health.
So, here’s the basics of how to get fit.
Number 1: The Right Attitude
Don’t even think about how to get fit if you are not willing to take a look at your attitude about fitness, about yourself and your life.
I don’t say that to be nasty or contrary. But if your attitude is not right about this effort then your failure is sealed. Conversely, if your attitude is positive and affirming then your success is certain.
If you want to know how to get fit, begin with the words that roll past your lips, the messages that enter your ears, the information that permeates your mind through your eyes. Surround yourself with affirming company, like minded, supporting friends and community. And if isn’t positive, get rid of it. You have to speak and receive positivity.
Number 2: An Active Lifestyle
The next step in how to get fit is to live active. I’m not yet talking about a fitness program. I’m talking about being active in the basic, daily, normal things of life. Walking up the stairs rather than taking the escalator. Walking around the neighbourhood on Saturday afternoon or in the evenings with the family. Going fishing. Just don’t go to work, sit at a desk, drive home, then sit in front of the TV all evening before going to bed and doing it all over again the next day.
I know you are tired. But I also know that the more active you are the more energy you will have, the better you will feel and the more vibrant your life will be. So get up, get moving in the normal, ordinary every day things of life and reap great rewards.
Number 3: Follow a Fitness Plan
Living active is a great start as you learn how to get fit. But a professional, focused fitness plan really brings it home. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember, you aren’t training to be a cover model in Sports Illustrated. You are simply training for a vibrant, active, healthy, functional, strong body that works for you every day.
3-5 days a week, 30-60 minutes a day is how to get fit for life. From a few Tabata circuits to a cardio, bodyweight or weight training routine, just get in there and make it happen. You’ll feel infinitely better when you do and the rest of your life will be so much more alive!
Number 4: Mix it Up!
Once you have established a lifestyle of activity, mix it up. Too often people find something they enjoy or can do and just keep doing it over and over and over again until they hit a plateau of frustration and stagnation.
In discovering how to get fit for life, learning to mix things up is crucial. Don’t do the same program, same routine, same series of sets and reps day in and day out. Your body will adjust and soon it will simply be you going through the motions with no new results.
Toss in something new, something you have never done before and watch your results accelerate.
Number 5: Journal It!
I suggest this all the time and most often am met with, “I don’t have time for a journal”. Make time. The truth is that once you are in the habit it takes very little time at all. But why? Why is a journal so important.
It tells you where you’ve been. It tells you how to get fit by showing you your weaknesses and strengths; a bit like a compass. You need this guide and I promise you once you establish this habit, you’ll wonder why you ever resisted.
Number 6: Fuel Your Body
You have to eat. Not just anything though. What you eat counts.
You may have made it many years eating whatever it is you wanted… fast, processed, refined, convenience based foods. And you may have felt little ill effect. But then you looked in the mirror. You paid a visit to the doctors office for a check up and the lights came on. It has begun catching up with you. And even though you now know this, you still have no clue what has been done internally to damage your body.
So now you want to know how to get fit and get your health back. There is a saying, “you cannot out work a bad diet.” You can work you butt off in the gym all you like but if you eat crap, you will not achieve your goals. If health and a fit, strong body are your goal then it is time to learn how to eat, real, high quality, nature made, authentic food and you need to eat it 5-7 times a day.
Number 7: Hydrate
I am willing to bet that most of you reading this today are dehydrated. This has become a chronic condition in society and its effects are immense.
From your organs to your skin and your brain, you need water. Not coffee, tea or soda. And you cannot argue that they are made from water and count it. LOL You need to be drinking pure, clean, clear water all day every day to the tune of 1 gallon a day for optimal health. Water is how to get fit. Hydrate your body and those muscles and even that fat loss will respond in favor.
Number 8: Keep the House Stocked
When last did you clean the kitchen cupboards? Make it a date and do it asap. Get rid of anything made in a factory. Remove all the refined, processed foods and stock it with high quality clean foods.
This is crucial. If you don’t keep it nearby, you are far less likely to go get it. After all, we are the ultimate convenience driven society so don’t make it convenient to eat poorly. Instead, make real food your convenience.
Number 9: Rest
I would wager a bet that few of you, me included, get enough quality sleep. Notice that word… quality. That means 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tough to get isn’t it? It may be, and I certainly understand it but fight for it. This may be last on the how to get fit list but let me assure you it is not least.
Lack of quality sleep increases your waist line, increases craving, and increases stress and strain on your body. It taxes the entire system and sabotages your goals.
So fight for sleep. Turn down or turn off the lights an hour before bed. Step away from the computer. Decrease the sound. Relax. Unload your mind by making a list and then crawl in for a great rest.
Now you know how to get fit. Are you ready to make it happen? No excuses, just do it. If you’ll take the action, I’ll give you ALL the tools for success. Are you in?
We explore the elements of authentic living. That means body, mind and spirit living in the perfect provision of nutrition; living fit and strong through fitness; living true to each individually unique passion and purpose.