It's not too late to get into shape for summer! It's not as hard as many might think. In addition to your long-term goals (let's say that you want to lower your body fat by 3% over the next 4 weeks and have a visible six-pack by Aug 1) - the "trick" is to set short-term goals that can be very reasonably achieved. If it's been a while since you've stepped foot in a gym, a good goal might be to commit at least 30 minutes of exercise at least twice a week.
I take it one step further and set mini-goals during my workouts. With any given exercise, I take the minimum number of reps I know I'm capable of completing with good form and add three. For example, I know I can complete 9 wide-grip pull-ups with moderate difficulty. I then set my mini-goal as completing 9-12 pull-ups. By setting this parameter, I can complete my primary goal (9 reps) with the option of pushing myself further. This technique has been critical for me in staying motivated. Having a positive attitude in the gym results in a positive experience... increasing the likelihood that you'll keep going!
To attain the "fighter's body" look, check out the Spartacus challenge for a simple (but not easy!) workout routine. I followed it for 6 weeks with great results.
Oh yeah - if your goal is to have washboard abs, they should become visible at around 10%. Get your body fat down to 7% or less and be prepared to turn some heads at the beach!
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