When you want to start a fitness program, you may feel intimidated and confused. But it doesn't have to be that way. To tell the truth, getting fit is one of the most direct task you can attempt. You only need two things: discipline (that you have to provide) and a straightforward guideline (that I am happy to provide).

Before anything, you should get a full physical from your doctor. This is a must for people that have high cholesterol, diabetes or are obese. When you get your doctor's approval to begin your excersie program you then schedule a fitness test with your personal trainer at your gym.

While both of these are incredibly annoying, they are essential to your success and well-being. The benefits of a doctor's visit are obvious, particularly if you have one or more of the previously mentioned conditions but it also allows you and your doctor to discuss your lifestyle. Preventative medicine is far better than reactive medicine. Make your doctor part of your fat loss and health-building team along with the health professionals at your gym.

The benefits of your fitness test is about learning about your strenghts and weakness, not just to see how much body fat you have. If you want to success with your program you have to know what you are capable of.

The next secret is to walk, don't run, to fitness success. If you want to pick up your University running workouts where you left them 10 years ago, that's fine. But I guarantee you won't last 10 days. And then it'll be a dreary 355 days until you're ready to try exercise again.

One unknown benefit of your fitness assesment is that it will give you a nice workout to start with. It will give you a real view of what your body is up to. Once you do your fitness test you will know what your body weakness are and what you can really do and you will learn to work under those limits.

The fourth secret is to set your goals. It's more effective to have a plan and commit to it than trying to lose weight each year. Set some realistic goals and workout under your routine. If you don't do any excersise presently and haven't done so for some time now, start very slowly. Don't try to start at a high level. That beer-belly didn't grow overnight, and it won't disapear overnight.

Your first work out should be one set per muscle group. In the second week you will be ready to add another set. In the third week you will add an additional set. Increase the weight each week and stay under your plan. Don't get sore. Sore muscles are normal when you workout, but should be kept to a minimum.

Ok, now you are ready for two fantastic secrets that will help you stay commited to your fitness program and really start losing fat once and for all.

First, get a social support team. This can be your family (like your spouse, kids, parents and brother) or your close friends. Don't try to do it alone. They are part of your success. People respond better when they report to a person instead of a machine.

Nutrition is the second most important factor in your fat loss diet program. When you start losing fat it will be because you've changed your food habits. Remember that no amount of excercise is going to help you if you don't change those.

Nutrition is a lot simpler than you think. Don't over think things. See a nutritionist or listen to what your mother told you as a kid. Food choices should contain a large nutrient-to-calorie ratio. Dr. Phil (yes that Dr. Phil) calls this "High-Response Cost, High-Yield Nutrition". And follow this rule: Don't eat foods with added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, but make sure to log your nutritional intake.

Consistency with this plan will achieve your fat loss program without problems. Remember that this is for your future health.