by Lou Belcher

Created on: April 11, 2009

Best way to get fit.

Fitness doesn't come over night. If you have lived a sedentary life for the past year or two, don't expect to go out and run a marathon tomorrow. It doesn't matter that you used to run in high school, you have to start where you are. The best way to get fit is to take it slow, build on your current level of fitness, and increase your fitness level one day or week or month at a time. Here are some tips on the best way to get fit.

1. First, assess how much you can do right now. Think back over the last few days and write down exactly how much you moved during that time. If you are already exercising some, write down what you are doing. If you aren't doing much more than reaching for the remote control, write down what you do each day. For example if you park as close to the door as possible when you go to work, write that down. You want to describe realistically what you are doing when you start.

2. Devise a plan to slowly increase your overall physical activity level. If you haven't been exercising or moving much, be sure to force yourself to set realistic goals. There's nothing that cancels a fitness program quicker than setting unrealistic goals, going out to achieve them, and ending up not being able to even walk without aches and pains. Set up your plan to increase fitness by setting up small steps to reach your desired fitness level.

3. Schedule time for physical activity. Maybe you got away from fitness in the first place because you didn't set aside time for it and you didn't make it a priority in your life. To make it work and to stick to your plan, it's important to make it a priority. Choose the best time for you to work physical activity into your routine and set aside a portion of time to do it. Slowly increase the amount of time until you are at the level that you want. If your schedule doesn't work for you after a while, be sure to reschedule. Keep that appointment with yourself as if it's the most important item on your schedule.

4. Devise eating guidelines that will work for you as well. In order to get fit, work out a reasonable, healthy eating routine as well. Again, take a look at what you are doing right now. Make a list of what you've eaten in the last few days and see if there is room for improvement. Don't make drastic changes. Instead, make small changes over time and slowly bring your eating into a routine that is best for your overall fitness as well.

5. In addition to exercise and improved eating, if you throw in a little weight training, it will help you overall. Muscles burn more calories than fat, so the more muscle you have the more calories you'll burn in any activity. Strength training is also good for your bones and for warding off osteoporosis.

Put all these components together and you will develop a good program for getting fit. Remember that the most important part is to be flexible and to stick with it for the long haul.

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