Trying to get in shape but overwhelmed by all the conflicting fitness advice online?
Between complicated workout routines, fad diets, and endless fitness trends, it's easy to feel like you're never doing enough.
But here's something I've learned from over 15 years of working out and helping clients as a personal trainer: Getting in shape doesn't have to be complicated. You just need to consistently do the things that actually work.
In my latest YouTube video, I share five fitness habits that I personally use and recommend to my clients to help them build muscle, lose body fat, and improve their overall health.
🎥 Watch the full video: 5 Things That Actually Matter When Getting in Shape
Let's break them down!
1. Surround Yourself With Motivation
Your environment has a bigger impact on your fitness journey than you might realize.
If you're constantly surrounded by people who discourage healthy habits, staying consistent can become difficult.
One of my favorite recommendations is to surround yourself with positive influences. Read books that inspire you, listen to motivational podcasts, and follow creators who encourage you to improve.
But here's something else I want you to try:
Visualize the healthiest, strongest version of yourself.
Think about how you'll feel when you reach your goals. More confident? Stronger? Healthier? More energetic?
Then ask yourself: What would that version of me do today?
Motivation won't always be there, but reminding yourself of what you're working toward can help you stay disciplined when things get difficult.
2. Track Your Fitness Progress
Imagine trying to save money but never checking your bank account.
How would you know if you're making progress?
Fitness works similarly.
Whether your goal is building muscle, losing weight, or improving your overall health, having measurable goals helps you understand what's working.
Some useful metrics include:
Body weight and longer-term weight trends
Progress pictures or waist measurements
Strength improvements in the gym
How your clothes fit
Improvements in everyday movements and endurance
You don't need to obsess over the numbers. Body weight naturally fluctuates, and the scale isn't the right tool for everyone.
The important thing is having a way to recognize progress and make adjustments when necessary.
3. Walk More Every Day
Walking might be one of the most underrated fitness habits.
You don't need to run five miles or spend hours doing cardio to improve your health and increase your daily calorie expenditure.
Simply walking more consistently can make a difference.
You've probably heard that everyone should get 10,000 steps per day. While that's not a magic number, it can be a useful goal.
If you're currently averaging 3,000 steps, try working toward 5,000 or 6,000 first.
Even adding a 20-minute walk after work or dinner can help.
The goal isn't to hit an arbitrary number. It's to gradually increase your daily movement in a way you can maintain.
4. Prioritize Protein and Fiber-Rich Vegetables
You don't need a perfect diet to start improving your physique.
One of the simplest nutrition habits I recommend is building meals around a quality protein source and fiber-rich foods.
Protein supports muscle growth and recovery, while fiber-rich vegetables can help you feel satisfied and support digestive health.
Some easy meal combinations include:
Chicken, rice, and broccoli
Steak, potatoes with the skin, and asparagus
Salmon, roasted vegetables, and rice
Eggs with vegetables and whole-grain toast
And what if you're eating at a restaurant?
Don't be afraid to ask for additional protein or vegetables with your meal.
You can still enjoy carbohydrates, fats, and your favorite foods. The key is making choices that support your goals consistently rather than following an unnecessarily restrictive diet.
5. Stop Guessing and Follow a Workout Plan
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make.
They go to the gym, do whatever exercises come to mind, and hope they're making progress.
But without tracking your workouts, how do you know whether you're getting stronger?
A structured strength training program helps you consistently train the important muscle groups, monitor your progress, and apply progressive overload—gradually increasing the demands on your muscles as you improve.
And here's something important:
You don't need to destroy yourself in every workout to see results.
Being extremely sore the next day doesn't automatically mean you had an effective workout.
In fact, after years of consistent training, I rarely experience significant muscle soreness, even though I'm continuing to get stronger.
For many people, three well-structured strength training sessions per week can be an excellent starting point.
If you're not sure how to build a routine, I created a 12-Week Full-Body Strength Program to take the guesswork out of your workouts.
It provides a structured three-day-per-week training plan with exercises, sets, repetitions, and progressions to help you train with confidence.
Getting in Shape Is Simpler Than You Think
You don't need to follow every new fitness trend, work out seven days a week, or completely overhaul your life overnight.
Start with the fundamentals: build a motivating environment, measure your progress, walk more, improve your nutrition, and follow a consistent workout plan.
Small improvements repeated over weeks and months can add up to meaningful results.
Want to hear me explain all five tips and share how I apply them to my own training and my clients?
🎥 Watch My Full YouTube Video: 5 Things That Actually Matter When Getting in Shape
And if you're ready to take the next step, explore my personal training services and online fitness programs.
Stay consistent, trust the process, and keep getting stronger!
— Aaron Bailey
Fitness By Design Personal Training