The Rules for a New Year of lifting!

Here are seven simple rules to get started this new year or when ever you are ready to start working out/living better.

1. Find a gym/fitness center
   make sure it has all your needed machines and weights
2. See what offers the gym has
   e.g. Free Personal Trainers, Referrals, Day Care etc.
3. A goal.
   pick a goal that is reachable with in a small time frame. Try not to pick one that is outrageous i.e. loose 90lbs in 4 weeks. Not that it can't be done. It may be probable but not possible.
4. Set a diet plan and exercise routine
   make sure your plan and routine are something that will meet your needs and are realistic. Avoid if possible ideas like a different body part each day, not to say these don't work. Unless you are already in peak condition you need to get the mass started before fine tuning which is what these routines really do.
5. E6! This means eat six times a day.
   With your diet whether you are gaining or losing weight you need to eat six meals/times a day. Breakfast - Snack - Lunch - Snack - Dinner - Snack. Keep it healthy with a few cheats here and there.
6. Keep a log.
   Write down what you eat, when you eat. Write down your exercises and the time you exercise. Doing this will help you look back when you find yourself feeling/performing at a lower level than you did the previous day. As well it helps you keep track of your habits.
7. Focus -
   Stay focused and get focused. Now this is a rule that is a little off base for some. When you are working out get and get out. If you spend some time between sets/reps talking there is no problem. But if you are spending more time talking than lifting you're wasting your time & energy. Not to mention you are also going to be in the way of other people using the machines/weights because we don't know if you're done or just taking a break. Stay focused and chat briefly or save it for when you are done.