When first starting a fitness journey, everything can seem daunting. Throughout the online community, article headlines pitch unrealistic promises, such as “six-pack in six days” or “drop two pounds in a week.” With an overflow of information, it can be difficult to decide where the right place to start is, and how to execute your fitness goals in a healthy and effective way. We’ve compiled a list of seven tips to help guide you in starting this project with confidence.
- Figure out WHY you’re doing this and commit yourself!
Everyone has a different reason why they want to begin a fitness journey. Maybe yours involves looking your best for that ten year high-school reunion, or maybe yours deals with improving your health and the overall way you feel, or maybe you just want to challenge yourself to improve a set of fitness skills. Take time to sit down and decide why you are here. Approach this WHY with self-love, and remember that you should be doing this for yourself, not because of anyone else. No matter why you’re here, whether it is for appearance or health, it is important now to fully commit yourself to this process with a positive attitude.
- Set sustainable goals
It’s important to approach your fitness goal in a realistic way. Take into consideration your current fitness level, and decide what may work for you. One helpful way to do this is by using the SMART approach.
S- Specific
M- Measurable
A- Attainable
R- Relevant
T- Time-based
Something like “gain muscle” is a goal, yes, but it is very vague. Whereas, “drop 50 pounds in two months” has many of the attributes of SMART, but is not necessarily attainable. Try to frame your goals using the SMART approach, and come with goals such as “Meal prep for lunch and dinner for the upcoming work week every Sunday night” or “ Increase weekly run mileage from 5 miles to 10 miles by the end of the 5 week run challenge.”
- Pick the workout approach that will work for you.
Not everyone enjoys that same kind of workout, and that is fine. What is important is finding a workout that you’ll look forward to versus dread. If you’re not into structured workouts, think about trying out different work out classes such as yoga, zumba, or even put a pair of sneakers on and try jogging. Maybe you aren’t sure what style of exercise you like, and that’s okay too. This is a good time to try a variety of things out, and who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself blending a variety of workouts into your schedule. Just keep in mind that all workouts will require your energy and time. Take into consideration which workout will fit your goals and lifestyle.
- Schedule it in!
One of the hardest parts about beginning a workout journey is consistency. Getting yourself in the habit of sticking with your work out routine can be tricky, but one way to help solidify this habit is by scheduling it in.
Instead of saying you’ll do your workout “later” or “sometime this afternoon” pick an exact time. Workout at the gym or run outside the villages fl. Remember you made a commitment to this journey, so do yourself the favor and allocate time to workout. Take into consideration your already existing schedule, and decide what time would fit best for you.
- Think of the food you eat.
Even if you are burning calories while keeping up on your new fitness routine, none of it matters if you aren’t eating healthy. This means avoiding fake fats, fake sugars, artificial flavorings, chemicals, etc. Read labels to avoid foods with these things in it. Instead, focus on eating whole foods, and if possible, eat organic to get the freshest quality possible.
- Don’t forget to give your body time to relax.
Don’t forget to listen to your body. If you begin to feel pain from exercise, take a break and give yourself time to relax. Pushing through the pain is not wise, as it can actually lead to serious injury. Take time to progress through your fitness program, to allow yourself time to build strength while keeping your body pain-free.
- Find someone to join you.
One extra thing to take into consideration is whether or not you want to do this alone or invite a friend to join you. It is great to approach your fitness journey with a friend since it adds accountability. Whenever you need someone to cheer you up or root you on, having an accountability buddy is perfect. It adds that additional level of support that you may want in beginning your fitness journey.
Using these tips, approach your fitness journey with confidence. Most importantly, remember to award yourself for small victories along the way, and enjoy the process!