Can anyone offer any good tips/advice for a beginner?

My life philosophy can be summed up with the KISS system...Keep It Simple Stupid.

1. Move more
2. Eat less (if you need to lose weight)
3. Educate yourself on health matters (this community is a great start)
4. Try to become more of an optimist today than you were yesterday

That's all she wrote!!

Brian

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Brian Zehetner 15k
4 months ago

• One day at a time
• One Step at a time
• Change isn’t going to happen over night so don’t put yourself down if it’s not going like you want it to. Just keep using all the tools provided and ask any questions that may come along during your journey.
• Find a workout partner to help each other stay motivated and accountable

Don’t make it a month diet, or work out hard for 3 months then drop off. Its a lifestyle change! Find what works for you and your lifestyle and remember to enjoy some of your favorite foods now and then.

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O₂i | OwnerSioux City, IA

Tyler Aube 3.9k
4 months ago

Some general notes...

I think it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it in the beginning. In the past I let my enthusiasm get the best of me and went too hard at the start, only to burn out after a month or two and gain back some or all of the weight I'd lost. Start slowly with something you know you can commit to for the long haul. This means something different for everybody, depending on their current level of fitness, lifestyle, etc.

Also, you need to set some solid goals for yourself. Why did you join? Be honest and realistic when setting your goals. I might want to look like Angelina Jolie, but I know that's not in the cards for me. Imagine how disappointed and frustrated I'd be working toward a goal I'd never be able to attain!

So, being more realistic about goals, I started out wanting to eat healthier, be more active, and lose 40 pounds. To me, that still sounded almost impossible--so I've broken it down into smaller, more manageable goals that don't feel so overwhelming. I started with: drink 5 bottles of water a day, no more vending machine snacks at work, do SOMETHING active every day, even if it's just a 10-minute walk. Changing a little at a time has meant that I don't feel overwhelmed. I also broke down my weight loss goal, focusing on 10 pounds at a time. When I lost that first 10 pounds, I rewarded myself with a new outfit for the gym.

Recently I've started tracking my diet and activity on here and that has been a great help to me. I lost 2 pounds in my first week of tracking diet/activity on here! Even though I was trying to watch what I ate before, I wasn't paying as close attention to calories in/calories out as I thought I was.

If you tell us a little more about where you're coming from and where you want to go, I'm sure we can come up with some more specific tips for you...

Good luck!

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MemberFreeport, IL

Jessi Gable 1.2k
4 months ago

The number one tip is: always take full responsibility for yourself. This goes for inside the gym as well as outside. Nobody has control over you but you.

Too many times I see people come up with excuses like "I don't have enough time." or "I can't afford a trainer." Those are excuses that put the blame on something or someone else. You will never get into great shape with that attitude. The more responsibility you put outside yourself, by definition, you give up all power over yourself to improve your life. Other things and people are NOT going to look out for you. Only you can and must do that.

Your health is your responsibility. It doesn't matter if your parents raised you "wrong" or you hang out with people who eat junk. Time to accept responsibility for where you're at right now and do whatever it takes to move forward. Forgive your parents for allowing you to grow up unhealthy, get new friends who support and participate in your healthy lifestyle choices, and never stop learning about the human body - especially yours! We all adapt to exercise a little differently, so you'll have to find out what works best for you.

You're starting the right way by reaching out and asking for help. Keep asking! People love helping people like you find the road to health!

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O₂i | OwnerMartell, CA

Ryan Chambers 3.8k
4 months ago

This is a great quote to live by: “It is futile to wish for a long life, and then give so little care to living well.” -Thomas A. Kempis

--Start out slow--you know your body best.

--Even if it's for a short period of time, get with a personal trainer. You will gain a weatlh of knowledge that will prepare you for this LIFESTYLE that your about to take on.

--$40 a session with a personal trainer for a few months now OR $100's and possibly $1000's of dollars on doctors visit's and medications later?!

--Continue to challenge yourself, and try new ways to exercise.

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H₂i | ManagerMadison, WI

Rick Mecum 2.1k
4 months ago