2012 is in full swing now, and everything is supposedly ‘back-to-normal’ – yeah right.  With all the back-to-routine adjustments, I am sure one of your resolutions was to get your body and mind in shape, but have you nonetheless? Well, I am here drive you in the right direction!

SET A GOAL:  AND the reason’s for doing what you are doing. Very important. Write down a list of the things that you would like to achieve, and the reason for each goal. More important – Let’s not forget what all the hard work is for! This reasoning behind your goals will most certainly give you enough incentive toward reaching your ultimate goal. You could most likely take on the Rocky approach. Be like Rocky – run up those stairs, hear the music blaring in the air and pump your fists! Also – just watch it and you’ll understand!!!

GET YOUR MIND WORKING: SO cliché but… the mind really is powerful, and you need to train your brain to give it the willpower it needs to get your body to do anything out of the norm. Daily affirmations such as ‘I am an unstoppable force to be reckoned with’ is the way to go. You simply have to decide that this is what you want and take one step at a time… have you seen the movie Limitless yet? I am sure you could train your brain to be GREAT without the use of a pill – we don’t really live in the Matrix do we?

EXERCISE REGIME: The next step is to do your research and actively put together an exercise plan. Just don’t forget that everyone is different. Your limitations may be someone else’s strong point. So please don’t injure yourself over someone else’s exercise plan in the first week, giving yourself a reason to quit early from possible permanent damages! In that case,  a physician before-hand may be a good idea. This is where every movie about the fat kid, who you haven’t seen in years turns out with the perfect 6-pack is applicable. Think “Just Friends” starring Ryan Reynolds and be the guy who shows up everywhere looking AMAZING!

Walking – if walking is the only thing you know how to do – you’re on the right track. Think, The Proclaimers’ “I would walk 500 miles” and march or walk to the beat of those drums or guitar riff. Brisk walking does the world of good. Once you have reached a level where you are starting to feel a gain in stamina & strength – either walk for a longer period of time or add on an extra day or two in a week, or maybe even start jogging. Otherwise going to gym is a GREAT way of toning, honing, stretching and shaping. There are a great deal of equipment, classes and personal trainers that will help you get into the best shape possible. If the gym is not for you, and group classes is not for you, check out popular work-out DVD’s like Yoga, Tae-Bo or Zumba and start your own fitness regime at home.  .

And lastly, don’t let your stomach be a waste basket –your body always keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down.  Even if you have a friend who is able to eat anything he/she wants without gaining weight  and it makes you go green with envy – don’t fret, his/her body might look great on the outside but very harmful things could be happening on the inside. So, get to know your OWN body, do a LITTLE research and get to know how things work but establish an eating plan of your own – A diet recommended for some (famous or not), may not always work for you.

It doesn’t get easier, but you sure as hell get stronger in the process, and the stronger you are, the better you feel! Say ‘no, thanks’ to that second helping. If there is dessert, have a spoonful of someone else’s – do not deprive yourself of those small things in life, you’re only human after all…