Getting in the Best Shape of Your Life in 2017, what does it take?
It has to be a lot more than some New Year's Resolutions, we have all made New Year's Resolutions in the past and usually after we screw up a few times we simply just concede that we are not cut out for this new lifestyle change and we go right back to what we were doing before which was obviously not working for us…

How do we break our old bad habits and make new good healthy habits?
You need a plan that is simple and well laid out, that is not too overwhelming and that allows you some flexibility and forgiveness. It is so much better to start out slow and build as you go, that way instead of letting yourself down when you are in over your head and fail. With a more realistic plan right from the start you will be on track and as you progress you can add more layers to your Health and Fitness journey.

So many people figure they are going to undo years of bad eating combined with low or no exercise in a few months. The radical change is too much and even if they get through the first couple weeks they often burn out or fall victim to an injury because their bodies are simply not ready for such a drastic change.

I you are starting from scratch with a new Health and Fitness program then you need to begin at the beginning. get out and walk, got for a hike, play some sports with your kids, go ride your bike around. Next, find an exercise program that you feel you would enjoy and start out a couple days per week, it can be Yoga, Boot Camps, a Team Sport, anything that gets you active. If you are comfortable lifting weights than that’s a great way to get your heart rate up as long as you truly challenge yourself. Over time you can add another day or two of exercise into your schedule as you are ready for it.

Diet is going to be key in losing unwanted body fat. Again start out slow, start with losing the sugar drinks, cut back on the heavy sauces and creams, go for more proteins and less simple carbs, do you really need a dessert after a good meal? Once you are making better choices you can step it up a notch and start looking at the actual Calories and Macros even if you don't plan on tracking everything, it’s still better to know what's going in your body so you can choose wisely.

Now if you are an avid Health and Fitness enthusiast and want to take it to the next level in 2017 then take a look at what you are doing now, I pretty much guarantee if you feel like you are not making progress then it’s because your program has not changed much over the past year or so. You are doing the for the most part exactly what you have always been doing and wonder why you are not seeing any more progress. At a certain point your program changes from a Progress program to a Maintenance program. If you want to take it to the next level then you need to get out of your comfort zone and it doesn't even need to be that extreme. Even really small changes can get you started back in the right direction moving forward again.

Try this: Add an extra 10-15 minutes to your workout program, tighten up on your eating just a smidgen, save the bear, wine or dessert for special occasions. Tracking your food can be a huge eye opener even if it’s only for a couple of weeks to figure out where you may be going wrong or could make some better choices. And as I always say, "there is no substitute for hard work", you may think you are training hard in the gym but I guarantee you there is more in you to give and it doesn't even require more time in the gym, just the desire to take it to the next level and move out of your comfort zone and push just that little bit harder.

If you feel you need help with your 2017 Health and Fitness Goals and are looking for an Online Personal Trainer to help guide and keep you on track then send me an email to “mike@getifitover40.com” I do have limited space but I have been using a very effective "6 Week Online Personal Trainer Program" with many of my newer clients that allows us to setup, track and figure out a working solution for their specific Goals that is not super invasive and at the end of the 6 week time frame the client has the information and know how to carry on with their programs on their own. This 6 Week Online Personal Trainer Program is $149 US and includes several Skype calls during the 6 week program.