Many people want to start working out, but for one reason or another, they never do. If you’re looking to get in shape, here are some tips that may help you stay motivated.

1. Set Goals and Track Your Progress

Don’t set out trying to lose 20 pounds in two weeks or bench press 300 pounds the first time you visit the gym. You’ll be setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. Instead, set small, attainable goals — like drinking eight glasses of water daily or taking 10 minutes at lunchtime for some light stretching — that will help you get into good habits without feeling overwhelmed by it all at once. Set realistic goals that you can achieve over time. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, set a weekly goal of losing two pounds per week instead of expecting to lose 10 pounds by the end of the month. Also, make sure your goals are measurable — if you want to lose weight, then how much weight do you want to lose? If you want to tone up, how will you measure this? Set smaller goals first until you reach your bigger goal eventually.

2. Find an Activity That You Enjoy Doing

If you hate running on a treadmill or going to the gym after work every day for an hour, chances are high that it will be hard for you to stick with it long enough so that it becomes a habit. Instead of forcing yourself to do something just because it’s good for your health (and even better for your body), find something that gets your blood pumping and simultaneously makes you happy! Maybe it’s yoga, swimming, or playing basketball with friends once a week.

3. Know Your Limits

If you’re new to exercise and have never worked out, start slow and work up from there. Don’t jump into the hardest exercises right away. Start with something easy like jogging or a kettlebell workout. And the best part is that you can search for online kettlebell workouts to do at home! You’ll need time to build your strength and endurance before tackling strenuous workouts or advanced exercises like weight lifting. You should also consult a doctor before starting any new exercise program if you’ve had risk factors for heart disease or diabetes. When your body gets used to being active, work up to more strenuous activities like running or cycling. If you push yourself too hard too quickly, you could injure yourself and end up needing surgery or other medical attention that will put a damper on your workout plan.

4. Start with Low Weight and High Reps

When doing strength training exercises, start with low-weight and high repetitions (reps). This allows you to get used to the movement pattern without worrying about weight loads that may lead to injury or muscle soreness later in the week (which can prevent people from working out). As time goes on and you get stronger, increase both the weight load and the number of reps per set. This is called progressive overload; it means increasing intensity over time and in order.

5. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

When starting any new diet or exercise routine, it’s important to plan your meals ahead of time, so you know exactly what you’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Planning will help prevent you from giving in to temptations like fast food and junk food when hunger strikes at work or school. Try cooking meals at home instead of eating out at restaurants or buying food from vending machines and convenience stores.

6. Find a Workout Buddy

Having a workout buddy can help you stay motivated and give you the support you need to stay on track. So, if you still need to get one, make an effort to find someone with whom you can share your fitness goals and progress. You’ll feel more accountable when someone else is counting on your commitment and keeping tabs on your actions. Plus, it’s easier to push yourself when another person is counting on you being there. If you don’t have anyone in mind to join you, try searching online for a free local community group or class. You’ll meet new people and learn new skills. You can also find a wide variety of exercise programs on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Conclusion

Whether you’re into aerobics, weight lifting, or both, there are plenty of tips out there to help even the most novice exerciser get more out of their workout. And since physical fitness is such an important part of overall health, it’s never too early to get started. Good luck and happy exercising!