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

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

Let’s face it: your body is your body. It’s the only one you have. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you can’t change. You can’t 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 fit and healthy person instead of wanting to 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 flabby and weigh less.

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

8) You can’t get fit in a week.

Okay, 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 well in advance. Or better yet, move for your own health and not for “stuff” like meetings and bikinis.

7) You have to put in some effort.

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 won’t burn a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while you walk, think of an action plan to get healthier and start today, not tomorrow!

6) You need to exercise.

Can you lose weight with diet alone? Sure you 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 that you like to do that works all of your major muscle groups.

5) You need to eat properly.

Leaving aside any low-carb/low-fat/high-protein controversies, the simple fact is that if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are important, but vitamins and minerals are also key elements your body needs. No matter what way of eating you’re following, make sure you’re 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 only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a bit by trying something new!

4) You can’t lose weight overnight.

You didn’t gain 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 go! 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 diary to help you know how you’re really eating and exercising.

3) The point cannot be reduced.

Genetics will decide where the fat will come from. Doing 1,000 sit-ups will not reduce belly fat. Even 1,000 leg lifts won’t get rid of fat from your inner thighs. Your body doesn’t burn the fat it needs from the body part you’re exercising. Your body will burn fat like peeling an onion, one layer at a time, so to speak. So, don’t over-exercise a specific body part and try to get your whole body fit.

2) There are no quick fixes.

That’s right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None. Put all those pills, potions, gadgets and miracle diets in the trash where they belong. Learn the basics of how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you don’t get sucked into another scam again.

1) Physical activity is a lifelong commitment!

So, you exercise faithfully and eat properly and you have reached 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 lifelong 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.