Getting in shape does not only include training. Besides training it also includes the things and this things are sometimes more important than the training itself. Such important factors include nutrition and motivation.

Motivation

Getting in shape will need lots of motivation. Without the necessary motivation the journey may not be possible for many people.

You will need to challenge yourself very often. If you challenge yourself then only you are going to gradually improve and do better. Otherwise, you will be lifting very less, doing very less than what you are capable of. In that case, getting in shape may not be possible and even if it becomes possible for you, it may take a very long time.

You will also need to stop making excuses and find the time to exercise regularly and follow the diet strictly. We often make excuses about why we cannot get in shape, regularly follow the diet that we prefixed and regularly follow the training schedule we have devised for ourselves. You will need to go beyond this excuses and do what you need to do to get in shape.

There may be many obstacles to overcome during your journey to get in shape and you will be able to overcome them only if your mind is strong. A stronger mind is always more important than a stronger body. Your mind will decide whether you will achieve your goal of achieving the best shape of your life on not.

Nutrition

first of all, take charge of your caloric intake. This is a hard thing to do. It will lead to create a caloric deficit to ensure that you are losing fat and weight to get in shape. Initially, it may be little difficult to measure the calories you are consuming but there are different resources available which will help you to find out the total number of calories you are consuming every day. Once you know the number of calories you should consume, you can limit yourself to that many calories.

You also need to ensure portion control. By using this technique you can actually reduce the amount of food and calorie you are consuming in every meal. You need a portion of food to the equivalent size of your fist. It is difficult to do but yet humanly possible and if you can do it, you will be able to control the amount of food you are consuming.

You will also need to drink lots of water and eliminate the sugary drinks from your diet.

Training

Cardio is very much important for you when you are trying to get in shape. You don't need to spend several hours doing cardio. 30 to 40 minutes of cardio at your gym, four or five days a week will be good enough for you. If you can perform cardio in the morning on an empty stomach, you will see better results.

Lifting weights will definitely help you to lose fat and reduce weight. It will also help you to build muscles and make yourself lean. Lifting weights will ensure that you get in shape at a faster rate. It can be easiest and the most enjoyable exercise if you know how to make it fun for you. When you lift weights, it will form the muscles and will also help in building new muscle tissues. When you have more muscles, you are going to burn more fat and at a faster rate which will help you to create the body you want. Find a good workout for yourself and keep changing it after every three months or so.

References
1. Burn The Fat 7-day Body Transformation Quickstart Program
2. Exercise and physical activity
3. Physical activity (exercise) fact sheet