The Guide For Getting Back in Shape This is the first installment of my Guide to getting healthy.

 While it sounds cliché to say “just get started but, it is solid advice and it is one of the mottos of my life.  If you do not define your goal, how could you know what you’re working for and how could you tell when you’ve found it?
Because vague advice is wasted breath, I have laid the steps for getting started in this first installment of The Guide to getting back in shape.
Professional athletes have numerous coaches and staff that help them individually achieve their part of the team goal.  It is important to note that long before the 1st competition of the season, long before a single weight was lifted or a play was practiced, clear goals (which are the same as expectations) were defined and established.  Defining a clear goal is the first step.
Step 1 – Identify Your Objective (what do you want?)
Most people identify their weight in correlation to their health.  More than half of your weight is water.  In a “weight loss program” you can lose both water and muscle which are damaging to your metabolism.  With “fat loss programs” and goals, it is best to set goals based off of body fat percentage goals as well as performance goals.
So, get your body fat tested in order to set a body fat percent goal.  Then think about the physical activities you want improvement in.  Maybe something you’ve never been able to do; like running a mile or a marathon.  Doing a pull-up or a muscle up.  Climbing stairs well or climbing a rope well.
I suggest finding a knowledgeable encourager to measure your body composition and help you define your goals.
Step 2 – Assess the cost (What will I sacrifice to get what I want)
The cost for moderate success is moderate sacrifice.  The cost for incredible success, is incredible sacrifice.
Your sacrifice will be unique to your goals.  However, the majority of my adult clientele, is after a firmer body containing less fat with improved function, energy and stamina.  These type of results require healthy eating (which means saying “no” to some foods and beverages).  These type of results require healthy habits like exercise, which means saying “yes” to exercise when you you’d rather say “no”.  That also means pushing harder when you want to take it easy.
It is easy to see how the sacrifices stack up day after day.  The point is, everything has a cost, you have to assess if what you want is worth the cost.
If you answer yes or an explicative yes, then you’re ready for: Step 3 – plan it out which I will cover in my next installment.
For now I have left you with two great steps towards your goal.
As you begin, remember the words of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
For a complimentary body composition test, contact Jim Johnson at 661-714-8149, email me at jim@getignitionfit.com and download the Ignition Fitness app, check us out on FB & Twitter @IgnitionFitness.