"Start With An End In Mind", is my first advice to any one starting bodybuilding. Start bodybuilding with a definite purpose and well identifiable goals. A lot of people will just say that "I want to be a bodybuilder" or all they will say is "I want to lose fat", however statements like that show a lack of clear goal and planning. Successful bodybuilders and writers like The Musclehead imply heavily on this. They will always guide you to write down your exact goals before you even start. They will ask you to record all your measurements currently and then write what you want them to be. The exercise often seems futile and very basic but this is what often separates a winner.

Most of the people get themselves away by simple sentences like "I want to gain muscle", however they don't give it a deep thought. How much muscle do you want to gain? Which muscle are you planning to work on? Successful bodybuilding starts by setting SMART goals. If you don't know what SMART goals are then here is what SMART stands for:

1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Attainable
4. Realistic
5. Timely

If you go about bodybuilding without a definite plan, you will be doing it in a awkward fashion. Your gains will be much smaller and slower. On the contrary, setting up your goals will help you in a good manner. E.g. if you know that you want a six-pack than you will work accordingly. You will know what you need to workout those muscle. You know that you need to reduce the fat surrounding those muscles so that the six-pack can be seen. Since you have a goal so you know how to go about it.

Here is a recommended strategy to take

1) Note down your current measurements.

2) Take a snap of yours.

3) Identify your exact goal.

4) Make sure your goal is timeline bound like 4 inches of biceps muscle gain in 4 weeks.

5) Similarly you should write down the measurements that you want for your chest, waist, thighs, calves, arms, and forearms.

This is a goal -- to get from where you are, to where you want to be.

6) Next, you should write down an action plan for achieving your goals.

7) Setup your exact workout routine as per the goals you have chosen.

8) Review your goals and progress every four weeks.

Remember one thing, when you look at a bodybuilder, all you see is a hard body. However, successful bodybuilders are very careful at planning and are goal oriented. They know what they want and they know how to achieve it.