It's hard. Getting into shape is not easy, definitely not for someone who is just starting out. There will be days when you just can't bring yourself to go to the gym, or even wonder if all the sweat and soreness is worth it.

The first step is actually starting. Sometimes it takes a lot to walk into the gym and see people in the best shape of their life, and see yourself nowhere near it. But just know that those people were in your shoes just awhile ago, they had to start at the bottom too. No one is born with a six pack and muscles.

When you set your mind to working out there should also be something that you are working towards. A certain amount of weight to lose, a certain amount of weight you want to be able to lift, or maybe even a certain time you want to get your mile in. These are the things you should be focused on.

Getting in shape doesn't just consist of working out but also eating healthy...which can often be the harder part for some people. Know that the more you workout and stay consistent, the dieting part will come naturally. Over time you will realize that if you intake all the calories you just burned at the gym, you just wasted your time. You will literally feel bad for eating the calories, once you're committed to your goals and working out. That's why these two concepts go hand in hand. At one point high calorie or fast food will just gross you out, the healthy food you accustom your body to will outweigh the unhealthy food you used to put into your body.

When you start to think about if all the hard work you are putting in is worth it, know that it is. One day you will wake up and see changes in yourself, and nothing will feel better than seeing those results. The results are what will make you strive to work out harder than you ever have and eat healthier every meal.

Also keep in mind that no one can take your body away from you, you own it. You have the power to sculpt and shape it as you wish. You can make whatever you want of it.

Always keep in mind that everyone starts somewhere. The day you start you might be running a 15 minute (or more) mile but that's okay. You might not be able to lift weight yet, or only be able to lift very light weight, and that's okay too. No matter what your lifting and what you're running, you're doing it, so take pride in that. One day you will look back and remember that and look at how far you've come, and how much your body has improved. Just because you start at the bottom doesn't mean that you will stay there, as long as you stay committed I promise you will progress.