IMAGES: 8 simple steps to a great-looking bod!

You can be the architect of your own body with these eight simple steps!

It's all in your genes -- they determine your looks and appearance. But if genes are the ultimate judge that shapes your form, is there any need for you to hit the gym?

Well, it is a fact that your body is the result of generic traits that share a similarity with your parents'. Changing your body type may seem difficult, but you can still manage to get it in great shape. Thanks to the current state of the modern fitness industry with all of its active and passive gymming techniques, we outline eight tips in the following pages to have you looking fab!

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The first step in a successful shape-up programme should be assessing yourself. It's all about how you feel and about your objectives of weight gain or loss.

Know your shape and decide which parts of the body you want to work on. Also decide on the parts you would like to have looking muscular.

Think about whether you'd like to make some changes to your posture as well.

Before you begin, it is important have a set of goals in order of priority as an input for an effective shape-up plan.

If needed, divide your goals on short-term and long-term basis. For example, if you are an obese person with a fat belly and you wish to get 6 pack abs, then your priority should be to lose the total body fat content followed by strengthening your abs.

Make sure you set practical and realistic goals. Setting a goal not only directs the programme, but also prepares you for the upcoming challenges.

Record a baseline measure to check the current status as well as the effectiveness of the programme in future. It can be both subjective and objective.

An initial baseline measure should include weight, circumference and girth (if required). You can also keep photographic records.

Plan how you want to look. Getting your body in shape is not just about strenuous workouts! In fact, it's a multidirectional approach and should include a proper training regime, healthy diet and even lifestyle modification.

Always remember, it is not just about looking good but also about feeling good. You may have to seek help from an expert to plan your shape-up journey.

The best workout regime is one which is customised and formulated according to your needs and body type. There is no fixed protocol and you need to create a regime for yourself. It should have the right combination of strength as well as cardio training.

Your exercise regime should be based on all the principles of training like adaptation, progression, reversibility and overtraining. Various programmes are available, which provide workouts three days a week, four days a week and even daily. Experts have their own opinions in this regard and an appropriate choice has to be made on the basis of your goals. Notably, the quality of gym practice is more important than the time spent there.

Many of you may feel that diet is less important in the shape-up process. But you should note that it is one of the chief culprits responsible for your bad shape. Your diet must be able to complement your hard workout regime.

A proper diet is of great importance, not just to maintain normal bodily functions but also to fuel your workout. Your goal should decide your diet. For example, if you aim at building muscles and undergoing strength training, then it is very important for you to consume a protein-rich diet. If you are on a weightloss programme, then you must not eat too many foods with a high content of fat and/or sugar.

Your diet is important when it comes to achieving and maintaining a good body and hence you should not ignore its importance.

Our bodies have a tendency to resist changes. Being irregular with your regime may upset your desired results and render the programme ineffective. You can achieve the desired goals, provided you are persistent in your endeavours. Remember -- consistency is the key.

You may come across many advertisements featuring products and regimes which claim to shape you up within a short span of time or even guarantee immediate results! In such situations, use your common sense or feel free to ask an expert.

The main problem which may strike the 'weak' human mind is disbelief! It is disbelief which makes us impatient. And we then begin to drift gradually away from an exercise regimen. But consistency is the key and the results will definitely take their own time to show up!