The hardest part of getting in shape is simple when you boil it all the way down: it’s all about forming new habits. From eating the right portion sizes, to working out 3-4 days per week, once you write down the process and work towards the goal, you’ll find it easier than you imagined it to be.

The scheduling part is crucial, so it’s a good thing you start with this. It’s all about preparation; by shopping for healthy foods and buying yoga pants or custom athletic leggings, you make the idea tangible, and put yourself in a position for success.

You Fitness Schedule

This can consist of several things, all wrapped up into one – the important thing is that you actually make a schedule. By establishing a timeline, you hold yourself accountable. Signing up at the local gym is your best bet; but if you don’t have or want to spend the money, home workouts are just as good for getting you in shape.

Also, by teaming up with a buddy, you turn your fitness plans into an event and make it even more likely that you’ll stick to your workouts. The other person will go a long way into upping the accountability factor, as well. Another benefit to going to the gym is that the money you’re paying serves as an additional incentive.

Keep Your Workouts Simple to Start

Every day, it seems, you are inundated with new workout schemes via YouTube or some other media outlet. They look cool, the models performing the workouts are in incredible shape, and you want to try them. Fine – but save these for later as your workouts become more advanced. For the time being, stick to the simple, core workouts that maximize your gains – the squat and deadlift for the lower body, the pull-up and push-up for the upper. You can even try the bench-press, and use an amount of weight that challenges you after maybe 12 reps. It all depends on your fitness and body goals:

• If you’re trying to lose weight and tone, focus on cardiovascular exercises – swimming is one of the best you can do. Keep weightlifting to low weights and high reps for toned, strong arms
• If you want to gain muscle, you have to go heavy. Keep the repetitions medium – eight to 12 is a good range.
• If you want to gain strength over everything, then you’ve got to go really heavy, such that your rep range is never more than five or six.

They Say Abs are Made in the Kitchen

Abs are only partially made in the kitchen; but it’s a big part. If you’re not eating healthy, then you’re robbing yourself of much of the work you’re putting in in the gym – especially if you’re only doing cardio workouts such as running, power walking or swimming. Load up on fruits, vegetables, grains and water to really see a difference.

Of course, if you’re looking to gain muscle, then you’ll need more protein than you usually eat. You can get this from nuts, yogurt, meat and other dairy products. It’s better to eat multiple small portions throughout the day than it is to eat one or two big meals.

In due time, you’ll see how the change in your perspective, and the implementation of your workout plan, come together to help form the best version of yourself.