Tips for the Early Stages of Your New Routine, and Where to Start with Fat Loss
When you first start with your fat loss program (or any new fitness venture), you will be aware that the changes you are about to make will be challenging. I have made these changes myself before, and I know how hard they can be.
Since I have been through the process of forming new habits and routines a lot myself, I consider myself a master of this skill and I have developed several processes and techniques that can help you in the all-important early stages of these new, vulnerable habits and routines.
For Each New Challenge, You Should Use The Following Process:
Identify the routine or habit that you are aiming to develop. Let’s say, for example, you want to quit smoking or eat less sugary foods.
Find your reason. And write it down. Why do you want to quit or eat less? Because it is bad for you / you want to lose weight.
Make your reason visible and plan a Start Date. Print off some photos or short quotes that support your reasons and pin them up in the places where you are usually weak, tempted or vulnerable to giving in or cheating. Examples include your desk at work, the fridge or your laptop screen saver. It is also important for mental preparation to plan a start date for your new routine / habit change.
Tell everyone. The more people you tell, the more support you are likely to get and the further along you get. Put a statement on Facebook or Twitter, tell everyone at work, tell all of your friends and family.
Don’t listen to “saboteurs”. You will always come across “saboteurs,” and all you have to do is recognise them. These guys may be close family members or close friends. They don’t mean any harm, but are usually not aware of the impact that the doubt can have on your progress.
Stick with it. The longer you stick with it, the easier it will get. If you feel like quitting, always refer back to your reason. Why are you doing this in the first place?
Give yourself a reward. Buy something nice from the money saved by not smoking or a buy some new clothes because you have lost weight.
Here is my magic formula again without the explanation so that you can give it a go yourself:
Identify the routine or habit you aim to develop
Find your reason
Make your reason visible and plan a start date
Tell everyone
Don’t listen to saboteurs
Stick with it
Give yourself a reward
I hope that this information has been useful to you. As always, I will be happy to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Good luck with your diet or training!
Jim
P.S. If you are frustrated with all the gimmicky products and programs out there, and looking to start a REAL, solid fitness program for your fat loss, dieting or muscle building goal, Home Workout For Beginners is your solution!
