THE new year, your birthday or the moment someone points out that you might have put on a few pounds since the last time they saw you these are usually the times when we start considering hitting the gym more regularly and eating right.

But like many resolutions, these short bursts of inspiration quickly get bogged down by reality. Work, commitments and various other distractions call out and we are easily tempted to tell ourselves, "I'll just take one more day off" or "I'll make up for it another day". But whether we realise it or not, the war against the bulge and towards greater fitness starts off with a nearly impossible battle with yourself!

Around this time last year after an innocent health check, my jaw dropped at the revelation that I had officially tipped over onto the dark side a BMI of 25.6 and a body fat percentage of 31.7.

Physically there didn't seem to be anything wrong with me and many would say that it would be fine since practically half the country is either overweight or obese.

Plenty of men in Brunei wear a slight paunch rather proudly. With one in four schoolchildren identified to be in this range in 2010 and Brunei topping the obesity scales in Asean, it was a harsh realisation that sparked yet another resolution to become healthier.

But it was me visualising that I was about made up of one-thirds fat that was the straw the broke this fat camel's back. I'm not a tall fellow and the brief vision was like an imaginary slap in the face which sent me running to the gym first thing the next morning.

It had been half a decade since I've been to the gym and numerous efforts in between had been for nought. There were always plenty of excuses and "time" was the most popular.

Yet, I could still be found lounging about at home feeling bored. How could a person who is "bored" have no time? This logic sunk in so deep that I knew the task wasn't impossible. No, it was beyond possible. It had to be done! With a family history of high blood pressure, high cholestrol and diabetes, maintaining my fitness and good health meant more than looking good and fitting into clothes.

The very first thing I found that was the problem was that I'm not a morning person at all. Unlike the majority, waking up in the morning was an option which made the choice obvious.

Hitting the gym in the morning was the most logical but not necessarily the easiest. This would be the same for some who try to do it on Fridays and Sundays.

But regardless of the day and time, taking that first step can be quite a challenge.

Whether it requires rolling out from under the warm comforter or taking that drive turning towards the gym, the feeling of complacency, exhaustion or plain laziness are very common especially for those who are relatively new to regular exercise sessions.

Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu said that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". It definitely sounds easier said than done but the fact is that it is also a lot easier than you think.

Keeping things in perspective helps to deal with demotivating factors.

We can choose to take those steps forward and actually go somewhere or stay put and be nowhere. It shouldn't be a difficult choice to make but when we start listening to voices of negativity and then become convinced that they're correct, that's when we end up making no progress.

Try giving yourself a pat in the back when you achieve small targets like waking up in time or making it to an aerobics class.

These are little things that can amount to a lot. You will also be building up trust in yourself very much like a leap of faith that you really want to achieve your goals and that you have the determination in you to do it.

Before you know it, you'll be looking forward to your next session be it a regular hike, a dance class or several laps around the pool.

The views expressed by the author are his own and do not reflect the views of The Brunei Times.The Brunei Times