Educate Yourself
First, you may need to brush up on the basics of exercise, which help you determine what a balanced program looks like. You may wonder how hard you should be working with your strength training and cardio. As a general rule, for strength training you should be lifting enough weight that you can ONLY complete between 8-16 reps (your reps are determined by your goals as explained in Weight Training 101 listed below). For cardio, you want to make sure that you're staying within your target heart rate zone. These articles explain the basics so you'll know if you're doing it right.
Setting Reasonable Goals
If you're still trying to get six-pack abs (after several years) or trying to fit into the same pair of jeans, it's time to learn more about setting goals. When setting goals, make sure they're specific, measurable and achievable. Knowing where you're going, how you'll get there and how you'll determine how close you are gives you a structured plan to follow. These resources will help you set reachable goals.
Attitude Adjustment
You might struggle with staying motivated or feel extra guilty if you miss a workout. Motivating yourself is important for staying on track with exercise. Now's the time to learn what motivation is and how to get some for yourself.
