Fitness is a combination of muscular endurance, strength, flexibility and body composition. You can increase your fitness level by taking up new activities and practicing the ones you already do on a regular basis.

Everyone benefits from being more active, even people with chronic conditions like heart disease. However, it’s important to break your health and fitness goals down into smaller and more manageable steps.
1. Find a Supportive Peer Group

A peer support group, also referred to as self-help groups, is comprised of people who are experiencing similar problems, issues, conditions, illnesses and personal circumstances. The members of the support group share the type of practical advice and insight that can only be gained through firsthand experience.

The group is led by a trained, capable facilitator who makes sure everyone gets the chance to speak. The facilitator will encourage members to be respectful, empathetic and keep their discussions confidential Personal Trainer.  The facilitator will often use open-ended questions to inspire discussion amongst the members and prevent one person from monopolizing the meeting time.

Peer groups are very useful because they help people feel less alone. Many people who are suffering feel that no one understands them. This can lead to isolation and a high percentage do not seek help or admit that they need assistance. A support group provides a place where everyone is welcome and where members act as role models to others.
2. Hire a Coach

Hiring a coach can be a great way to make sure you're on track to reach your health and fitness goals. A good coach will be supportive and encouraging, but not pushy. After all, when was the last time you actually did something because someone told you to? Your doctor told you to go on a diet, your Mom made you clean the house more, your friend encouraged you to dump that guy.

A health coach will help you figure out what you want to change and then create sustainable lifestyle changes that fit into your unique situation. They will also keep you accountable and provide support as you work through challenges. They will encourage you to make SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) that are realistic and will give you lasting results. Ideally, the coach will specialize in a specific area like weight loss, fitness, nutrition or meditation.
3. Set Realistic Goals

It's important to set fitness goals that are both challenging and attainable. Otherwise, you could quickly get discouraged when you don’t meet your expectations! For example, attempting to do 20 push-ups on your toes might be too ambitious at the beginning of your fitness journey.

You can make your fitness goals more realistic by focusing on one thing at a time (for example, hitting the gym 6 times a week or cutting out sugar) and then gradually increasing your commitment over time. This also helps to reduce the possibility of burnout, which can happen when you take on too much at once.

Additionally, try to incorporate more movement into your daily routine (for instance, walking to work or scheduling a walk on your lunch break). Doing so will help boost energy levels and support everything from posture to chronic pain. Plus, it’s more fun and makes fitness something that you look forward to rather than dread.
4. Track Your Progress

Keeping track of your progress is one of the most effective strategies for making consistent improvements toward your health and fitness goals. There are many ways to monitor your fitness progress, including taking body measurements, using a nutrition app or spreadsheet, workout journaling and wearing wearable technology.

Having benchmark sessions is another great way to see your progress. These may include testing your pull-up reps, the amount of weight you can lift or your mile time on the treadmill. Taking these measurements can help you identify areas for improvement and give you something to work toward each month.

Finally, paying attention to your energy levels and mood can also be an indicator of how much progress you're making with your fitness. This is because regular exercise tends to boost mood and improve energy levels. This can make it easier for you to complete everyday tasks like climbing stairs or lifting heavy bags of groceries. Rather than focusing on a number on a scale, these non-scale methods are more meaningful and encouraging for fitness enthusiasts.