What's the Real Secret to Getting in Shape

Getting in Shape?  What does that even mean?  You want to change the shape of your body?  In a sense that's true if you want to lose body fat.  You will be less round and smaller.

Okay, here's the secret...are you ready?  It's hard work.  Ew!  Oh you thought it was going to be something along the lines of take a spoonful or black pepper before bedtime or something.  Nope.  Sorry.  It's hard work.  Well, don't let that comment discourage you.  It's work.  Doesn't have to be super hard, especially in the beginning.  It's a progression.  Then it's maintaining it.  Being disciplined.  It's gets easier the longer you do it.  It's getting started and learning the basics that can be a pain in the buttocks. 

Sounds like a fluff doesn't it?  Like all the covers of every fitness magazine you've ever seen?  Very vague.  "Get in shape with only 30 minutes a week!" "How to get sculpted abs with this one food!"  Stuff like that.  Sound familiar?

What does hard work mean?  It means this; setting a goal, making a plan of action, then actually doing it!  And sticking to it.  

Was that more fluff?  Let's break it down even further shall we?  

Your goal should be something like "I want to lose 20 pounds."

Your plan of action should be "I need a gym membership or join a fitness class."

Your next step, yes, we got here that quickly because it is actually that simple, is showing up.  Go to the gym, go to that class, and workout.  

If you don't know where to start or you're hesitant, check out my article on starting a workout program here 

Have you ever heard the phrase, "sometimes all you gotta do is show up?"  

Well, apply that to the gym.  Show up.  Work out.  Burn those calories.  Sweat profusely.  Be sore.  Get...in...shape!!!  There it is.  That's what getting in shape is all about.  Improve your health, have great cardiovascular conditioning, run up a flight of stairs without feeling like you're going to pass out, and look and feel better.  Complement that with a healthy diet, the sky is the limit.  

You don't have to be a meathead bodybuilder to just go to the gym and have a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape.  Now go workout!