The results of this type of promise will rarely happen for most of you. Why? It's simple marketing tactics. It feels awful to carry around a lot of extra fat right? Energy is often weak and the ability to do strenuous activities doesn't ever seem appealing. Do you have the energy to play with your kid's? Or maybe more importantly, do you have the energy to want to start a family? Attracting a mate that is shapely is also part of the equation that drives some people when their younger in age, but some of you will want to throw the "I'm too old", "I have no time" or the "I hate to workout" cards down on the table as the reason this or that won't work. And the marketers know this all too well.

So to help you with the excuses that typically are given, the fitness industry will sell you on "giving you the fish" or instant results. You buy the book, program, fitness membership or maybe even hire a trainer and within days or weeks......results are going to magically appear, you believe, right? Let's get into this a bit more.

Very qualified information is available in a variety places on the net and they are some resources you may want to look at yourself we can refer you to. The planning of a realistic series of goals is the next step. How do you do this properly?

As a veteran fitness professional I'm sorry to say this is the most misunderstood part of the equation next to not being realistic about how long anything "should " take versus the reality of what it "will" take to complete the selected goal.

First, suspend any thoughts as to what you may believe it should take and get a proper evaluation or consultation completed to measure where you are on the continuum scale of 1-10 with ten being ideal.

Second, figure out exactly what you want to achieve....fat loss, toning or building muscle?

Third, map out a strategy with the changes needed regarding the optimal quantity and quality of foods to ensure proper energy and the ability to safely drop unnecessary body fat.

Fourth, select the course of exercise you feel is the best type or fit for you to strengthen the muscles of the body and heart. This depends on your personality and immediate likes and dislikes. No bodybuilding training if you want a slender ballerina body. By the same token a training program that reflects your natural talents is important as well.

Sometimes the consideration of your frame type is something that when a proper type of exercise routine is put together, a whole new level of appreciation can be formed for not only physical fitness but for you as not being "bad" at something after all.

Fifth, continue regularly scheduled appointments based on your budget with the help of a mentor, coach or fitness trainer to keep you on track, accountable and to teach you how to trouble shoot your own program so when it's time to fish on your own, you'll have all the right gear in your tackle box of skills.