Welcome to Fitness Made Easy. This blog will quickly become your go-to resource on your fitness journey. Finding time to keep fit can feel like a workout in itself, from busy work schedules to family commitments, it’s easy to overlook the importance of keeping fit. But, what if I told you I could give you a step by step plan which makes keeping fit easy? And yes, you did read that right!

The guide you’re about to read is the structure I personally followed to achieve my goal of building muscle and losing fat. Fitness can be made easier than ever with a simple, 8 step guide on crafting your very own plan to keeping or getting fit, no matter what your circumstances might be. Whether you’re a frequent gym goer or a complete beginner, this step by step guide will provide you with everything you need to achieve your fitness goals within a realistic time frame, you can set! As Jim Rohn said “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

This is how it works:

• Step 1: Defining Your Goals
• Step 2: Your Current Fitness Abilities
• Step 3: What’s your favourite activity?
• Step 4: Design Your Schedule
• Step 5: Let’s Structure Your Workout
• Step 6: Milestones
• Step 7: Trust The Process
• Step 8: Celebrating Your Success

photo by everyday health

Step 1: Defining Your Goals

Arguably the most critical step, what are your goals and what do you want to achieve? Are you aiming to gain weight, lose weight or build muscle? This is the step where you decide what your reason for starting on this journey is. Don’t forget, don’t just set any goals, your goals must be smart, measurable, achievable, relevant and have a realistic time span. (SMART)

Step 2: Your Current Fitness Abilities

So you’ve finished setting your goals, it’s time to test yourself and find your current fitness abilities. Use this step to test yourself, test your cardiovascular endurance, your strength and your recovery. There are many ways to do this:

• Record your time for a 3 Kilometre run
• Test your strength abilities at home or in the gym
• After your gym session record how you feel each day after the session

This step will allow you to see the real benefits fitness can bring to your body and mind.

photo by medium

Step 3: What’s Your Favourite Activity?

One of the keys to sticking to your workout plan is choosing activities you actually enjoy! Whether it’s running, swimming, weightlifting or cycling, if you enjoy it then you should include this in your plan. If you enjoy the fitness activity then you’re more likely to stick to the plan. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new forms of exercise until you find something you truly enjoy.

Step 4: Design Your Schedule

This is the step where you get to customise a fitness schedule to fit your busy life. Take into account your goals and the activities you enjoy most and design a day by day workout schedule. Consistency is a vital factor to achieving your fitness goals so make sure your schedule is realistic, taking into account your other commitments. Whether you prefer early mornings or late nights, design your schedule entirely how you want it.

photo by decathlon

Step 5: Let’s Structure Your Workout

So you have a schedule you’re happy with, it’s time to structure your workouts based on your goals and workout schedule. A well rounded fitness workout includes areas of strength training, cardiovascular exercise and a chance for your body to recover. Remember to mix up your workouts to give each muscle group a chance to recover before training again. You should aim for at least a day of recovery per muscle group between sessions.

Step 6: Milestones

Setting realistic milestones is an essential part of your fitness journey to track your progress. Break it down into long term and short term goals which you can celebrate achieving along the way. Short term goals can include cycling a certain distance in a time lower than you recorded in Step 2, or lifting a heavier weight. Longer term milestones could include a lifelong goal such as running a marathon or completing an Iron man. It is important to celebrate each milestone you achieve!

photo by freepik

Step 7: Trust The Process

One of the key characteristics to staying consistent is accountability. Staying accountable can be achieved independently or with a workout partner. Embarking on a fitness journey with a friend is a great way to make sure you both stay accountable. Be prepared to make adjustments to your plan as you get deeper into the journey, you’ll realise excises and activities which you don’t enjoy, don’t be afraid to adjust your fitness plan. After all, if you enjoy your plan, you’re much more likely to remain consistent.

Step 8: Celebrating Your Success

Congratulations, you’ve started on your fitness journey and it’s time to celebrate your success. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your success, every step closer to your fitness goals should be celebrated. Find something you enjoy whether it’s a post workout snack or a meal in a nice restaurant, and use this to celebrate your fantastic accomplishments.

Workout Out At Home

Did you know only 2% of the world’s population attends a gym? The Covid pandemic brought us a new way of workouts which didn’t include the gym! So you might think, home workout? Sounds easy? Think again! Incorporating home workouts into your own fitness plan is a great way to stay consistent during a busy schedule. Youtube is a great source of guided workout videos, from pilates to bodyweight classes, there is a video for everyone, no matter what your individual goals might be.

So if you’re looking to squeeze in a workout on the busiest of days, consider a quick home workout, to help maintain consistency in your fitness journey.

Now It’s Your Turn

So that’s it! You now have everything you need to structure your own fitness plan and begin that journey to achieving your goals. So it’s time to put on your favourite workout outfit and your comfiest trainers. Start your journey to a healthier you!

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