In 2009 there are two things that must be done if you plan on optimizing your fitness levels. If you decide that neglecting either of these key elements is in your interests then you can expect massive frustration when you see others burning body fat easily.

The first key element you must take advantage of is building a solid base of social support. One of the easiest ways would be to join an online community that has similar goals, ambitions and methods of training. These communities are sprouting all over the world wide web, they are easy to find and most have transformation contests which aid in keeping you on track for the entire regimen.

Don't forget to first look close to home however. Although your partner or friends may not be as interested as you in their own physique, if they are truly good friends they will do what they can to help you. Take them out to dinner and announce your plans, explain what you must do to achieve what you want. Kindly remind them that what you want is support and you aren't open for temptings that may lead you astray.

A close relationship can be a very powerful thing in helping you lose that excess weight you've been carrying around. If you can persuade your close friends into a small weight loss challenge then your chance of succeeding is increased greatly. It is also a good way to keep your mind off the matter at hand, and have a good time while actually seeing results. Being on the same page as your close friends will help in organizing workouts and will make things that much easier!

However there may be a few friends who decide to lure you back to your old lazy ways. They end up making your life very difficult, this is where you must consider what you are surrounding yourself with. The saying you are what you eat is the same principle as you adapt to your surroundings. You are more likely to be overweight and out of shape if you surround yourself with people who are the same.

Don't be afraid to issue a challenge to friends and family near to you, it can make their lives much more exciting and it can renew a relationship. A challenge at a workplace is also a popular method to do this, so set a plan and introduce it to your colleagues, see what you are able to achieve together.

The second tip for fitness in 2009 is to CHALLENGE yourself. You can do such a thing by using what is known as a 'challenge workout'. These workouts have you race against the clock to complete a certain exercise. You can easily track your results with a regimen such as this as it is easy to see your improvements based on time. As you get better it will take you less time, and you can incorporate more exercises into your allotted time.

The use of social support and 'challenge workouts' can help increase your chances of losing weight by a great factor. If your goal is to lose 10 lbs this year, or even 50 lbs this year then having a strong social network to challenge you will definitely help. Simply the biggest factor of losing weight would be to get out there and just DO IT! People will notice a difference in the way you walk, the way you carry your head upon your shoulders, and they will soon want to follow in your foot steps.