This article is designed to look at the many aspects of getting healthy, fit and losing weight. Dropping poundsdoesn't necessarily mean you are getting in shape. I think the idea of getting 'thin' or 'skinny' is overrated. You can be over weight and still be physically fit and feeling good. The final goal of glowing health is being as fit as you want to be. That means trimming the fat, gaining some muscle tone and walking the pool with confidence. n nWhat you want is an instant workout that will guide you through all the questions of fitness training and give you the direction you need to achieve your goals. There are several elements to consider when you become engaged in a program to lose weight, get fit look good, and feel good. AND KEEP IT OFF!nnThe most important aspects to think about are:nn1. Nutrition; n2. Exercise; n3. Supplements; nnThe 3 things you will need to begin any process of muscle toning are:nMotivation, Determination, and Confidence to achieve your desired goals.nnYou must be truly MOTIVATED to your fitness training goals. Start with a tiny goal of say 20 min. per day. Sure, it sounds too tiny when you really desire to start seeing results soon. However you will feel very good when you reach that first goal of getting fit for 20 min. everyday without losing your breath. Trust me when I say, "If feels great!" It is the tiny steps that fuel the rest.nnOnce you have decided what your primary goal is DETERMINATION to complete your task each day is next. You must really desireto see your results fast and increase your dailytrainingas soon as you can. Feel it in your self that this is your next action to firm abs and toned muscle. nnOne action you do not want to do is start too late. If there is a particular occasion coming up, i.e., your wedding date, an anniversary, you will want to get started right away.nnKeep a daily journal of what you do towards achieving your goal. This will began to build CONFIDENCE in yourself and keep you focused. Your journal should not only include what you eat, when you eat, what your exercise of the day was, it also should include how you feel every day in your accomplishments.nnDO NOT look in the mirror every day. Look yourself in the mirror only on the morning of your first day; take your measurements. And only once a week thereafter on the same day at the same time. And it must be the very first activity you do that morning.nnNutrition: nDevelop menus that are nutritious and diversified enough so you do not get bored and give up. I usually try to cook for myself whenever I can, however there are many good pre-packaged products that complete the calories you need to support your energy level, increase your metabolism and keep you feeling good. nThere are certain foods, however, that have been known to be beneficial to any fitness program. nnOatmeal, for instance is a slow digesting, high fiber carbohydrate. Ideally you should have this carbohydrate source at times in the day when you are most active since its then that your body will need the extra fuel.nnBlueberries are known for being an antioxidant powerhouse as well as a high fiber food and will quickly kick start your health level into high gear. At only fifty calories per half cup they are an easy addition to your diet by tossing some in your morning bowl of oatmeal, stirring a couple into some yoghurt, or blending them with your protein shake before a workout.nnGreen Tea has been known to be an excellent fat burner as well as an antioxidant. nnExercise: nYou must exercise if you desire the body of your dreams. This is where your Determination to increase your minutes per day getting fit comes in and you will begin to realize the results of your time sooner. nnVary your exercise, again so that you will not get bored and quit. Find the easiest program for you to begin with. Most of us cannot run a marathon the first week or even the first month of working out. Most of us can/t lift a 5 lb. weight for 3 min. in a session. So, start slow and ease yourself to a comfortable fitness level and add repetitions as you increase your stamina. nnWhen I first started bike riding I could barely do [half a mile. Today I could ride like the wind. nnFinding a good mentor is advisable. Most of us do not have time to actually go to a gym. There are many online products that have excellent coaches available that will guarantee that perfect body you desire.nnSupplements:nI used to think I could get all the vitamins I need from food. Well, you can. However, do you know how many carrots you need to consume per day for the vitamin you need? A lot. So, in getting fit I found that adding certain supplements to my regimen has actually increased my stamina and metabolism, which are both needed to complete my daily routine.nnAlways drink lots of water. We always hear that we need to drink 8 oz. of water per day. nnBut that is only if you are 128 lbs. And that is also only for maintenance. The amount of water per day changes for each individual; where you live, what is the climate and how much time you workout per day. The basic calculation of drinking water per day I use is 1/2 your body weight in oz. And that is just for maintenance. Always drink a little more.nFor example: if I weigh 145 pounds, I would divide that in 1/2 and the amount of water I needed to drink per day would be 72.5 ounces of water per day. Again, that is only for maintenance, I drink much more than half my body weight because I live in a hot, dry climate.nnWater helps hydrate and flush our systems.nn