(But what you need to know if you want to get in shape!)

10) No, you won’t end up looking like the latest sexy young model/singer/actress!

Let’s face it: your body is your body. It’s the only one you have. Can you still look cool? Insurance! But there are some things you can’t change. You cannot make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You can’t grow five inches or lengthen your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Focus on making yourself a healthy and fit person instead of wanting to make yourself look like someone else. You don’t have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong and fit body and the self-confidence it brings can make anyone attractive!

9) It is better to be muscular and weigh more than flaccid and weigh less.

I’ve said it many times: I’d rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I’ve been to both, and 135 pounds with a lower body fat percentage was definitely better! He was smaller, stronger, and had much more energy. So don’t always look for that magic number on the scale, but rather look at your total body composition.

8) You can’t get fit in a week.

Ok, well you can, but only if you’re a week away from your best shape and you keep training. Otherwise, forget it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you’ll be in a bikini soon, move on a lot earlier. Or better yet, move for your own health and not for “stuff” like meetings and bikinis.

7) You have to push yourself a bit.

Do you want to get in shape? You have to work on it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and most importantly, you have to do it. No apologies. Sitting on the couch, telling yourself that you should be doing something will not burn many calories. If nothing else, get out and start walking. And as you walk, come up with an action plan to get healthier and start today, not tomorrow!

6) You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight with diet alone? It sure can! But if you want to get in shape, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart won’t get any exercise if you’re sitting on the couch eating broccoli. Lose the weight you need to lose, and you’ll end up with a slim but flabby body. Move! Weight training is ideal, but if you really don’t like weight training, find an activity you enjoy doing that works all of your major muscle groups.

5) You need to eat properly.

Any low carb/low fat/high protein controversy aside, the simple fact is that if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are important, but vitamins and minerals are also key elements that your body needs. No matter what way of eating you are following, make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits to your diet. The next time you’re grocery shopping, stop by the produce section and not just pick up some old favorites, but experiment a bit by trying something new!

4) You can’t lose weight overnight.

You didn’t earn it overnight, or in two months, and you won’t lose it overnight, or in two months. Think of getting in shape like a train leaving the station: you start slow, pick up speed, and then you’re gone! Patience is the key here. Look for consistent trends. If you really aren’t losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and take an honest look at what you’re doing. Keep a journal to help you know how you are really eating and exercising.

3) The point cannot be reduced.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come from. Doing 1000 crunches will not reduce belly fat. Not even 1,000 leg lifts will remove fat from your inner thighs. Your body is not burning the fat it needs from the part of the body you are exercising. Your body will burn fat like peeling an onion, one layer at a time, so to speak. Therefore, do not overdo exercising a specific part of the body and try to get your whole body in shape.

2) There are no quick fixes.

That’s right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. Neither. Put all those miracle pills, potions, gadgets and diets in the trash where they belong. Learn the basics of how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you never fall for another scam again.

1) Physical activity is a lifetime commitment!

So, you exercise faithfully and eat properly and you have achieved your goals. Now what? Well, now you have to keep doing it for the rest of your life, that’s it! You can’t just work to get fit and then stop, because you’ll end up exactly the way you were before. Fitness is a lifetime commitment. And do you want to know a secret? Is not easy! And anyone who says it’s easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a lifelong ambition, and you’ll reap the rewards of a long, healthy life filled with energy, strength, and an overall sense of well-being.