Top Five Tips for Better Health and Fitness

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1. You wouldn't buy a car without considering researching it first would you? All our big decisions are well thought out, and your health and fitness plan should be too. Work with your doctor to overcome any health concerns and establish a good diet and exercise regimen. Frequent health boards and fitness sites to pick up tips and methods that have worked for others. Create your own fitness and health plan based on the research you have done. 2. Create a goal for yourself to work towards. It should be something that really motivates you to try hard to succeed. Don't make your goal "lose 50 pounds," instead, be as realistic and time oriented as possible. Say to yourself, I want to lose weight so I can look better in my swimsuit during our beach vacation in three months. That seems much more do-able doesn't? And it's a great goal to work towards. 3. Visualize your goal frequently. Imagine yourself in that bathing suit (or whatever goal you chose for yourself) every time you decide to go off your diet or skip your exercise routine. Ask yourself, am I really going to let this small moment of weakness deter me from this goal I really want? The goal eating better is easily sidetracked, but the goal eating better so you can live to walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding is not. 4. Now that you know your goal and you picture it frequently, it's time to realize how much you actually know about yourself. Keep a log for a couple weeks of eating habits, moods, and exercise. Do you notice you snack when you're bored, or don't work out if you've had a bad day? Now's the time to figure out where your problem areas arise, so that you can prevent them in the future. 5. Now that you know what is hindering you from reaching your goal, find ways around it. Stop bored snacking by taking a walk or calling a friend during the hours you're most bored. Work out in the morning before your mood can talk you out of it. Realize that you have trouble getting motivated to run, so bike instead. Make getting into shape work for you and your likes and needs. Before you know it, it will be second nature to you, and you'll be at your goal in no time!