Being "fit" essentially means being able to perform well in a wide variety of physically taxing circumstances. For some people, it also means being able to "fit" into their favorite clothes, while for others, it's just getting in great shape. Either way, if you find yourself running out of breath when doing simple things like walking up a few stairs or playing catch, it's time to improve your physical condition.
Develop the right attitude. Being fit is a marathon, not a sprint, and it requires making changes to your entire lifestyle. Don't approach this with the mindset that you can abandon the changes you make as soon as you reach your ideal weight; you will slip into your bad habits very quickly thereafter and regain the weight. Being fit should be incorporating things into your life that you can eventually do by second nature.
Incorporate more physical exercise into your daily routine. You're probably out of shape because you don't regularly challenge your body to do anything out of the daily range of motion.
Take the subway or bike to work/school instead of driving. If that's not possible, park several blocks away from your office building to force yourself into two 15-minute walks every day. These small changes definitely make an long-term impact in your fitness, if not your weight.
Clean your house. You'd be surprised how physically taxing housework is: dusting your shelves, cleaning your toilets, doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and cleaning the garage. Making yourself and your family clean parts of your house on a regular basis (i.e., every week or every other week) will not only create a better environment for you to live in, but also make burning calories simple.
Start an exercise program and stick to it.. Try running or using the treadmill a set number of days a week, gradually increasing in intensity and/or length of exercise.
Switch things up. Any physical activity that causes at least a little bit of strain will help you get fit, but it's important to remember that variety is the spice of life. Keep both your body and your mind guessing by enjoying a diversity of activities and having fun.
Dance for exercise. Anything will increase your fitness if you stick with it.
Walk the dog. Walk the neighbor's dog. If you don't have a dog, go to a dog park and play with someone else's dog. You meet good people, you get exercise, you socialize, and you can pick up a puppy.
Keep track of your progress, and be proud of minor improvements. Don't be discouraged if you stop losing weight or if you have a few setbacks; remember that overall, you've put yourself on an upward trajectory and that's definitely something to be proud of.
Don't think that just because you have one setback, you may as well scrap it all and give up for the day. There's a big difference between consuming 500 calories and 1000 calories of junk food, so keep yourself motivated towards progress.
Give your body fuel. As you become more active, you'll need more food, but not just any food--you need healthy, energy-laden food that'll jump start the next phase of your day, not weigh it down.
Learn to eat right. Start by switching to whole grain. It's healthy, but good; most people don't taste any differences. Cut out unhealthy snacks, and snack on fruits and vegetables. You need a good sized portion.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day. It keeps you hydrated throughout the way, promoting optimal metabolic activity. Moreover, water takes up a great volume in your stomach, so you will feel fuller without having consumed many snacks or meals. This is a great tool to keep off the excessive calories that you don't really need to keep your body functioning.
Carry a metal water bottle around with you at all times. You'll be surprised how easy it is to get in your recommended 64-80 oz. of water each day. It's also cheaper than purchasing drinks whenever you get thirsty, and better for the environment.
Keep your house stocked with the right food. Purchase the healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soups, etc. that you want yourself to eat, and keep the junk out of your cupboards so you won't be tempted. It's not bad to indulge once in awhile, but it's too easy to do so if you keep your house full of unhealthy treats. Instead, the best litmus test for your true desire to indulge is if you're willing to make the trip to the bakery or supermarket to purchase it.
Let your body rest. When you're giving your body a run for its money with varied physical activities, you also need to let it recover and renew by getting a sufficient amount of sleep.
Get a check-up. To stay fit in the long run, you should perform regular maintenance on your body, just as you would with a car. Take yourself to the doctor and dentist regularly to make sure everything is running smoothly on the inside and to prevent any potential problems from arising.
