Begin with the end in mind...

Starting a fitness program is one thing. Sticking with it is something else. How often have you gone gung-ho into a regular workout routine only to have your enthusiasm zapped because you don’t feel like your making any progress?

This kind of discouragement can quickly make you abandon your efforts. In addition, once you have been on and off the fitness track a few times, finding the courage to start all over again can be daunting.

Our society thrives on instant gratification. If we take the time to do something, we expect immediate results. However, fitness does not work that way. It can take several months or more to see the results you crave.

This does not mean your health is not improving along the way of course. In fact commit to a fitness routine and you’ll begin to condition your body practically from the beginning even if you will have tangible proof that or as clearly or as quickly as you might like.

One way to get and inside peek at the healthy changes occurring within your body is to monitor your heart rate before, during and after your workout, as well as rest days. That way you will have tangible proof that you are continuing to make steady progress.

The first step is to set up a regular fitness routine with a personal trainer to monitor you heart rate during exercise that gets your blood pumping, whether it’s walking, running or participating in sport. If you are just starting out or returning to activity after a long absence, you’ll want to begin with just 10 minutes warm –up, 40 minutes of low intensity activity. 10 minutes cool-down, three days a week. Increase your time by 10 percent each week until you are comfortable with 60 minutes of activity on most days.