Whats your Goal

Most of us embark on our fitness route without any goal in mind. Our goals defines the path which we need to take. 

If I ask you whats your fitness goal? What would your answer be? Our number one goal is to lose the pot belly or belly fat! Isn't it?

However this is a very incomplete goal. Do you know that's its impossible to lose just your belly fat? No matter how many crunches you do, it won't magically make the belly fat disappear. To lose belly fat, you must lower your body fat %. Period. 

You need to get your fitness goals straight. Its very important if you want achieve what you desire.

The goals might be one of the following:

• Increase cardiovascular fitness and stamina
  
• Lose weight by lowering body fat %
  
• Lose weight period (at any cost)
  
• Lose weight and increase stamina
  
• Gain muscle mass also known as bulking
  
• Lose fat while preserving muscle mass
  
• Increase flexibility and gain weight and so on

Its important to note that two goals cannot coexist at the same time. You might get moderate gains from chasing two goals at once, but it won't pay off. You will end up disappointed.

For example to lower body fat %, you must burn more calories than you consume. Carbs are to be kept at a minimum and cardio is a must. However if you just want to gain muscle mass, then the opposite must be done. Eat more calories than you burn, carbs should constitute 40% of your diet and cardio is to be kept at minimum.

See what I mean? Trying to lose fat and increase muscle mass at same time are contradictory in nature. You just won't get the results you want! 

Choose a goal, stick with your exercise regime for atleast 3-4 months. Don't expect miracles. You did not put on all that weight overnight right? So how do you expect to lose it overnight? Be realistic.