Start today, get out there, and do the best you can with what you have

1. Avoid procrastination
In the running community it is a well-known fact that the most difficult part of going for a run is the part where you have to put on your running shoes. Don’t wait until you have time in your schedule, until you can afford to join a gym, until you feel ready to start, or until you
can afford the latest and greatest equipment. Start today, get out there, and do the best you can with what you have.

2. Get the green light from your doctor
Most of us, especially men for some reason, feel uneasy about going to the doctor to get things checked out. The good news is that you will need to do this less often if you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Don’t spend too much time trying to figure out the meaning of life or
the complexities of the human condition. Focus on the things you can control and make decisions that will change and improve your quality of life.

3. Set realistic goals
Get a clear picture in your mind about what it is you want to achieve. Once you know what you want to achieve you will have a better understanding of how to measure your progress. More important than having goals is to have realistic goals. We live in a society that teaches
us that we can be anything we set our minds on if we just work hard enough to get it. I am sure there are many ways to get to the top, but I am yet to see an Elephant climb a tree like a monkey, and a monkey unearth a tree like an Elephant. Be honest and realistic with your
goals and expectations.

4. Be patient and consistent
During the early stages of your health and fitness journey it is better to focus more on doing something more often instead of trying to accomplish too much too soon. Be patient and take a gradual approach to achieve your goals and build yourself up one day at a time.
Olympic long distance runner, Steve Prefontaine, once said “Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you travelled from where you started”.

5. Change things up
Adding variety to your health and fitness plan is a key ingredient to sustain long-term development of health and fitness. Don’t get stuck doing the same things. When you enjoy doing something you are more likely to continue doing it. Regardless of where you find your
training programme, diet plan, inspiration or advice, if something doesn’t work, try something else.

6. Keep mind over matter
This is probably the one that will make or break it for most people. Maintaining self-
discipline and holding yourself responsible for your health and fitness require a fair amount of mental endurance. You will find it easier to maintain balance and keep going when you are not alone. Find a training partner or join a group of people that share similar goals and interests.  By doing this you will also be surrounding yourself with people that will motivate and encourage you to keep going when the going gets tough.

7. Pay attention to your eating habits
Paying more attention to what you eat is a New Year’s resolution of its own and there is much to say on this important topic. When health and fitness becomes a priority in your life you will automatically become more aware of your eating habits. Some people will find it
easy to adapt while others may need some professional help to follow a prescribed diet. Get started by simply focusing on eating healthier and try to avoid diet plans that may be harmful to your health.

8. Reward yourself
How you reward yourself is up to you, but make sure to build some kind of reward system into your health and fitness regime. It can be a long road between where you are now and where you want to be. You can make the journey more interesting and much more
enjoyable if you set a series of mini-goals along the way. These nuggets of achievement will go a long way to keep you motivated and also lines up perfectly with the principle of gradual improvement.

9. Rest and recover
It is important to note that there is a big difference between taking a break and giving up. When your activity level increases so will the demand for rest and recovery. If you deprive your body of sufficient rest between activities it will simply stop responding to your efforts
and force you to rest by means of fatigue induced illness or injury. Make sure to get enough sleep, include variety in your health and fitness plan, and don’t feel bad about taking a short break every once in a while. Rest is a key component of your health and fitness plan.

10. Have some fun along the way
If you live a healthier life it goes to reason that you will also live a happier life. Don’t become a stickler of following strict diets and training plans to the point where you are not enjoying life anymore. You invest a lot of time and effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Allow yourself to enjoy the benefits and privilege of a having healthier body and mind.