The most popular goals for a New Year’s Resolution are often items such as stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and eating better, and the number one goal is getting fit, such as weight loss. However, many people do not have the idea of reaching that goal and the studies show that only a small percentage of people stay with their News Year’s Resolution of fitness goals.
The first step is to start with sitting down and writing out simple goals that can be achieved over a number of weeks such as 4-6 weeks. Good goals to set would be losing 1-3 pounds per week or 5-12 pounds per month. One can set a goal to just start working out more at least 2-5 times per week. The biggest problem is that so many think they know what they are doing and fail due to everything they read and the nonsense they take in from others that call themselves “health professionals” as we see in the media.
The key is to keep it simple. Follow your body and listen to it and not to try to do too much. People who try to do too much right away will fail and do not have the understanding that starting with realistic goals is the best bet to stay on track with one’s fitness goals. To stay on track with your fitness goals, try to find a personal trainer that is well education with a nationally recognized personal training certification such as ACSM, ACE, NSCA and NASM, along with having a health science degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, athletic training or sports medicine.
Most health clubs will let you work with a health and fitness professional for a free consultation and orientation to get set up on the fitness equipment properly. They do not show every piece of equipment and do not set up an exercise program, but they do give you the proper instruction on how to set up a target heart rate and to begin a basic strength training routine, but they will not actually work with you on every exercise unless you are willing to pay for personal training sessions. They are setting you up on the machines to orientate you so you start on the right track and do not injure yourself.
If you can afford it and liked your orientation, then you can purchase personal training sessions to work with the trainer on a more detailed exercise program that is designed specifically for you. Each client is unique and will have specialized program prescribed for them depending on their fitness goals; however, you will notice that some clients might be completing the same type of program like yours, because their fitness level and goals are the same as yours. If you want to really see your health and fitness goals being reached, hiring a personal trainer will help you progress a lot easier than working out by yourself.
Make sure the trainer is not arrogant and has a good empathetic personality. There are some personal trainers that act like they know everything, and that is not what you want to deal with. You will see great results if you work with a well education personal trainer and will want to keep buying more personal training sessions if your budget allows. One or two session usually will not do much for you, but is better than nothing. Personal trainers usually suggest buying at least three more sessions to get started and you will see some great results within a short amount of time.
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