Warmer weather and longer days bring out the desire to get in better shape. The most effective way to get in better shape is to make healthier, more realistic choices about what you eat and how much you move. Summer is only a couple months away. By starting a program now, you can get a jump start on everyone else, before they realize time is running out.
In the next five articles, we will reveal the most effective strategies for you to use to get in better shape for summer.
Get in Shape for Summer Strategy #1 – Get Your Goal Straight
Before you buy any equipment, join a gym or enroll in a weight loss program, you must set some goals. You have to know exactly what you want to accomplish by embarking on this program. Is it weight loss? To build strength? To increase endurance?
Maybe it’s one or all three. Either way, you will need to create a path to achieve your goals.
First, figure out why it’s so important to achieve this goal. If it’s to lose weight, what will be different once you lose the weight? How will it make you feel? And why do you even want to do it in the first place?
It can’t just be to feel better. Eating ice 
cream makes you feel better. But that euphoric feeling doesn’t last very long, and can leave you with unwanted pounds, over time.
Once you answer these questions, you will have the foundation for your goal. This foundation will help you to keep going when that ice cream starts calling.
Next, look at your goal again to see how realistic it really is. If you want to lose 50 pounds and you set a date for three weeks from now, that isn’t very realistic. In fact, once you embark down that road and realize that it’s not going to happen, you will be in an even worse place, mentally. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, chose a realistic goal of two pounds per week. Then calculate how long it will take to lose down to your goal weight.
We’re almost to the end. You’ll need to figure out how you’ll measure your success. Weight isn’t all about the scale. Frankly, I tell clients to use the scale as ONE tool in their arsenal of “measuring sticks.” Other ways to measure your success are:
- Clothes fit better
- Body fat gets lower
- Bloated feeling decreases
- Strength and Stamina increase
You see, there are several methods to insure that you’re on the right track, so don’t limit yourself to looking at the scale and judging by the numbers.
Finally, your goal is not complete without a timeframe. Set short term goals of 1-2 weeks, then re-evaluate your program’s success. Short term goals help you build up to reaching your long term goals. If you decide your long term goal is to lose 30 pounds, and you’ve lost fifteen pounds in six weeks, congratulations, you’re half-way home. By setting short term goals you’ll be able to adjust your course of action quicker than if you waited until you got all the way to the very end.
If your goal is to lose weight, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created the Ultimate Fitness Stimulus package!
One of the easiest, most convenient, and least expensive ways to lose 
weight and achieve better health fast, is walking, and that’s what our new program is all about. “Reach the Beach” is a 6-week program that is geared to help you lose weight and look better in your clothes by increasing your daily physical activity with creative walking plans and using the Nutrition Crash Course to get your diet on track.
Here’s What You Get:
- Six weeks of daily walking plans created by Fitness Professional Carol Dunlop
- Six-week Nutrition Crash Course
- Pedometer to track your steps
- “Walk for Success” Kick-off Teleseminar
- Free access to a special Community Forum just for NurseTogether.com members to use for group interaction and inspiration
- Plus: as an extra Bonus, you’ll also be eligible to win weekly prizes provided by Community Experts
- Extra, Extra: All registrants are eligible to win the Grand Prize presented by me, Carol Dunlop
- 30 Days Free online personal training
- 30 Days Free access to the online meal planning system
- Registration ends April 3, 2009
Click here to read "Reach the Beach Program, Part 2"
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About the Author: Carol Dunlop is certified through FiTour as a Personal Trainer and through the American Red Cross as a CPR, AED and First Aid Instructor. She has competed and placed in several Fitness America and National Bodybuilding competitions. To receive your Free E-course “How to Burn Calories While you Sleep,” log on to www.optimumbodysculpting.com.
Click here for contact information and other articles by Carol Dunlop.
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