How to Begin a Fitness Program
Beginning a fitness program is an important step to staying fit. Following a few simple steps can get you started. Being honest with yourself about your fitness level and setting manageable goals will help to ensure that you stick with your program. A fitness program should involve slow and steady progress to help you reach your ultimate goal.
How to Begin a Fitness Program
Find your current fitness level. On a piece of paper mark your resting pulse rate; next take your pulse after doing 20 jumping jacks. See how long it takes you to walk 1/2 mile. Take count of how many pushups you can do within a minute. Also, take measurements of your waist, hips, thighs, biceps, ect. Having this information down on paper will help you assess your progress.
Choose what you would like to do for your cardio. For those just starting out walking may be the best choice. Also, decide on a strength-training workout, such as working with small weights or toning bands.
Set manageable goals for working out. A good starting point is committing to 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week. If you find it hard to workout for that length of time all at once, break it up over the course of the day. Even if you do ten minutes, three times a day, it is better than doing nothing.
Once you set your schedule, treat it like any other important appointment on your calendar and follow it.
Once a month, check your fitness stats against the ones you recorded before your first workout. Reward yourself for your commitment and hard work, for example a day at the spa or getting a hair cut.
As your routine gets easier, gradually add more time and intensity to your workouts.