So you’ve decided it’s time for a new start – it’s time to venture on your diet and exercise plan. You may have failed at this before, after all, it can be difficult to stick to a new diet and exercise regime, but this time you’re going to make it stick around. You’ve already taken your metabolic renewal quiz, and you’re starting to do your research.
Now it’s time to get up and put your plan into action, but where do you start? That’s what we’re here to show you today. Here’s your complete guide to starting out with your diet and exercise plan so you can get the results that you are looking for!
Figure Out What You Want to Achieve
The first step to making any plan is figuring out what you wish to achieve as you do it. Losing weight is a common goal for many people embarking on a diet and exercise plan, but it is by no means the only one. For instance, you may wish to lose weight, but perhaps you also want to build some muscle. Maybe your aim is to reduce your blood pressure or to just generally feel better. Perhaps you want to do a fitness-based competition.
Meanwhile, ensure that you are sitting little mini goals in addition to the bigger goals that will take longer to achieve. For instance, perhaps your goal is to lose 50 pounds. You can break that down into smaller goals like ‘this month I will lose 2 pounds.’ You get the gist! Just be realistic, and you’ll find it easier to achieve your goals.
Make a Workout Plan
Now that your goals are in place and you’ve outlined what you think you can achieve, you need to make an exercise plan and manage your gym products. Now, you are not restricted to running on a treadmill for hours a week. It’s not for everyone! Instead, the best thing to do is to find a workout routine that will work well for you and your personal interests. Do you enjoy dancing? Why not get a copy of Just Dance for your games console at home and play it? Or there are videos on YouTube with dance routines or classes you can take in person. There’s always a way to exercise in a way that you enjoy! Even a simple walk can make a big difference since it helps you to get more movement into your day. You should also try to incorporate some strength-based training too, like weight lifting or yoga, in order to build your muscles.
Have a Schedule
Some people prefer to exercise when they feel like it. This is fine for later down the line, but to begin with, it’s a good idea to create a schedule so it becomes a routine. You may think this is difficult but in reality, you can create a schedule that will work around your daily life. Even a 10-minute workout is better than nothing at all. Figure out what you’re going to do and when – maybe even write it down to hold yourself accountable.
What’s for Dinner?
Exercise is only one part of the equation when it comes to being healthy and enjoying fitness. If you want to build muscle or lose weight, your diet is equally important. Now, there is a range of different diets out there that you can follow like Keto, Paleo, and more, but you don’t actually have to follow these in order to lose weight or achieve your goals. All you need to do is consume fewer calories than you are burning. You could theoretically live off Big Macs as long as it’s within a calorie limit, but this isn’t something we recommend.
Instead, try to create a balanced diet full of plenty of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This is the best way to create a diet for yourself. When you have a good idea about how you would like to eat, you can then make a meal plan if you want. Cooking meals ahead of time and then storing them can often be beneficial since it means you’re less likely to grab a quick meal from your local fast food place when you’re low on time.
Conclusion
Starting a diet and exercise plan can seem really daunting at first, but with time, you will get into the swing of things. You will begin to see results, which can be worth all of the difficulties that may come with the early days of a new lifestyle.
