Getting started with a fitness routine is often a difficult step. Many people have periods of time when they are working out and exercising and then something throws them off, an injury, a bad mood or a busy time at work. After the break, it’s difficult to get started again. Still others have never begun a fitness routine. This article provides some tips for getting started on a fitness routine.

A great way to get fit is to pick up an active hobby such as skiing or snowboarding. Not only will you be having tremendous amounts of fun, you’ll be burning a substantial amount of calories as well. Surfing can also be a great active hobby to have.

Arm lifts are a good way to give your arms a quick workout and to gain upper body strength. Simply take a chair, bed, table, or any elevated surface that is the same height as your mid section when sitting down, and stand in front of it. Then take your arms and place them behind you on the surface. Crouch down a little until your arms bend into a 90 degree angle, and then rise up. Repeat 10 times for 3 sets.

At work, sit on a round exercise ball instead of a chair. Your back muscles and stomach muscles will get a workout as you balance yourself on top of the ball in front of your desk. Sitting on a ball encourages good posture because you need to sit upright, in order to balance.

Set smalls goals when trying to increase your fitness level. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds you should make your initial goal to lose 5% of your weight. Meeting that goal will boost your confidence and resolve. If you would like to run a 5k spend some time improving your mile time and then go on to longer distances.

Try the “glass is half full” approach to counting strenuous repetitions. Count backwards; as you make your way through to the end of your set, You will be focusing on the number of reps that you have left, not the painful realization of how many you have already completed. This is an excellent way to remain positive during your workouts.

The above article shows that getting started is often a great challenge to incorporating a fitness routine into your life. Whether you are just beginning a fitness routine or you have taken a break from a previous fitness routine for some reason, the above tips can help get you back on track.