Phit with Phil

January's almost over - one month in, but NOW is the time to really get serious and keep at it!!

As I walk into the gym, I must pass through all the steppers, ellipticals and treadmills. I always see the regular folks (and some new ones now) keeping a steady pace on the machines...they're still on there when I leave too. I used to do that, and I thought I was getting in shape.
The picture of me on the left is AFTER losing over 30 lbs doing stepper 3-4 days a week with very little weight training. I lost weight but still have a bit of a gut and have very little muscle. The picture of me on the right is after I switched to only weight training and HIIT, and even though I weigh more than I ever have and I'm a little older, I'm definitely stronger, faster, and more conditioned. I haven't been on a stepper or treadmill for years...
If you're looking to get in shape I have no problems with getting in a little cardio here and there, but make sure to get in weight training too.
Don't worry so much about what the scale says and how much you weigh, and when you start lifting weights - don't worry about how much other people around you are lifting...it's YOU vs YOU!!
Slow and steady, and be consistent.

http://www.simplyshredded.com/cardio-for-fat-loss-high-intensity-interval-training-cardio-vs-low-intensity-steady-state-cardio.html

Cardio For Fat Loss: High Intensity Interval Training Cardio Vs Low Intensity Steady State Cardio |. Cardio For Fat Loss: High Intensity Interval Training Cardio Vs Low Intensity Steady State Cardio

I truly used to believe that working out allowed me to eat whatever I wanted. After a work out you could often find having a beer and nachos (loaded with cheese). It didn't take me too long to figure out this wasn't working.
Here are some great tips when it comes to nutrition.
A couple of the tips I live by are: eating every 2.5-3 hours, and the 80/20 rule (eating 'healthy' 80% of the time). I'll still enjoy my beer and nachos...I just won't have it as often now.

10 New Rules of Healthy Eating | Nutrition | Core Daily | Core Performance Adopt these nutrition habits to look, feel and perform better than ever.

We've all heard that working out is good for us...here's a list of just some of the reasons.

Top 10 Benefits Of Working Out From sleeping better to increasing your libido, check out 10 reasons to head to the gym, stat.

Getting started and staying motivated with any form of fitness is a huge challenge. Here's an article with some insight and thoughts regarding that.

Getting Motivated to Exercise Staying motivated to lose weight and exercise is tough. Learn some important elements in creating your own motivation to help you lose weight, get healthy and reach your fitness goals.