I am often asked, “Sean I want to start, but how do I do it? What’s the best way to train? How long should I workout? What should I eat?” I am going to answer all of those questions now.

Most of those who know me, know the only training system I ascribe to is MOVEMENT. That’s right, movement, no new fad just old fashioned get off your butt and move! Now I don’t agree with everything but it is not about me, it is about you. So here are some things to think about when you start an exercise/weight loss plan/journey.

1. DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY: If you start training but hate what you are doing, you will not last long. Find one thing you enjoy and do it. I just heard a lot of you reading this say, “I don’t know what I like?” Let me give you an example. I train a mother who hates working out. She has 6 and 8 year old boys. I asked if when she was young did she play hide and go seek? Of course she did . So I told her for the next 90 days, for a half hour to an hour, to play hide and go seek with her boys. She agreed, and guess what? she lost weight! Why? Because she enjoyed it, it wasn’t a chore to play with her kids. She actually looked forward to it. At first, she couldn’t get along as quickly as her boys but as time went on she could really move, and has a better relationship with her children.
2. COMMIT: Now that you are moving, here’s the catch. Most plans fail because the commitment is simply not there. So I want you to right here and now to commit yourself to 90 days. Yes, three months. I don’t care what it is your doing, be it Zumba, walking, jumping rope, or hide and seek. Take that and own it. Make it your time do that one thing for 90 days, and I promise you will change .This is the most difficult aspect so, if need be, get an accountability partner. Someone to call you on it when you slack or say great job when you’re getting it.
3. SLOW DOWN: That’s right slowdown. I have seen most people quit because they started working out and were so “gungho” that they beat themselves into the ground for a week, only to find themselves so sore that they couldn’t function. Never wanting to go through that again, they quit. This is why I use the term “journey” so often, because a journey takes time, so take your time.
4. DRINK WATER: This is the most important direction I give a new client. When you start moving the toxins that are trapped in your muscles are released and can make you sick. When you begin any exercise program you need to start flushing your system. You also need water for every process in the body. So strive to consume one gallon a day.
5. PORTION CONTROL: Food, we all love food but there is also a science behind consuming it. Now I won’t go into calorie counts and fancy food scales here, let’s just keep it simple. Don’t eat as much! Using portion control is easier than you think. First, make a fist; this is your protein  Next make what I call a monkey hand (take your fist and lift your fingers until you can see your middle knuckles) and that represents your carbohydrate portion. Finally, flatten your hand completely so you can see your nails; there’s your veggies.

So there you have it. The first tools you need to embark on your journey. It may not always be easy, nothing worth striving towards ever is. I believe you can do it. In fact, I know you can! This is your journey, your life, only you can choose to live differently today. Go feel the sun. Go play in the rain. Just go. Just move.