Well, hey there, friend! So you’re getting into fitness? That’s so cool and a big thumbs-up for taking the first step. I completely understand, though-it can be a bit scary. Walk into any gym already and they’ll throw images of impossibly ripped people grunting beneath mountains of weight in front of you, or perfectly sculpted yogis twisting ones you didn’t even think were possible. Let’s get real here nobody starts there for nurturing your journey into fitness the hows a beginner like. We need to think of fitness as a journey and not a race. A long one, with scenery-a road trip across the country. I don’t see you someone gon’ jump in a car and drive cross-country without a map, a full tank of gas maybe a few snacks. Same thing with fitness. So it’s time to take off that pressure, put away the Instagram fitness gurus for a moment, and let’s break this down into manageable and fun steps.
1. First, know yourself and know your “why.”:
Before you can even begin to think about burpees (shudder…), take some time to reflect: what are your goals? Feel more energetic? Sleep better? Chase your kids around without getting winded? Maybe a few pounds need to be dropped, or a brand-new muscle has to be built. Whatever it is, write it down. Your “why” is what will keep you going when you slump (and, trust me, it will!). Also, be honest about your current fitness level. No shame in that! Everybody starts somewhere. If you haven’t exercised in years, please don’t throw yourself into a high-intensity boot camp. Your body will hate you for it, and you will most likely end up as a sore and discouraged version of yourself.
2. Start small, do keep consistent:
Now, this is HUGE. Consistency is the king, or queen, whatever. This is better: exercise something you like for 20 minutes three times a week than kill yourself doing an-hour-long workout once and then collapse on the couch for the next week nursing those painfully sore muscles. Think long walks in the park, trying out one of those beginner yoga classes, swimming, or dancing around your living room to your favorite music. Something that gets you in motion and makes you feel all good inside. Try for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, slowly bumping up the intensity and duration as you get fitter.
3. Find Something You Actually Enjoy(or At Least Tolerate):
Fitness should never feel like punishment. If you loathe every second of your workout, there isn’t much of a chance you are going to stick with it. Just try different activities until you find something that makes sense for you. Hiking, rock climbing, Zumba, cycling, even gardening (yes, gardening can be a workout)! For years, I forced the whole running savage on myself only because I thought that’s what “fit people” do. And I just hated every single painful step! Then I found weightlifting and bam! Exercise was suddenly something I was looking forward to.
4. Fuel Yourself Right:
There is no way out of bad eating. It is as straightforward as it sounds: you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Do not get too caught up in restrictive diets. Make small, sustainable changes instead, like swapping sugary drinks for water, having a side salad with your meals, and cooking at home more often. I am not going to lie, pizza and ice cream are still something that I adore. However, most of the time, I just try to balance those with the dipping of healthier options. It’s all about balance.
5. Listen To Your Body:
It is soooo important. Don’t push yourself hard, especially during the initial stages. Rest when you have to; don’t ignore pain. Muscle soreness is a different thing from injury. The moment it doesn’t feel right, stop whatever you’re doing and consult with a doctor or physical therapist.
6. Celebrate the Little Victories:
Were you able to walk for thirty continuous minutes without taking a break? Did you go just a little heavier on a weight compared to the week before? Were you able to fight the urge to order some takeout and ended up cooking just for yourself instead? Wow! Acknowledge and celebrate that small victory. Those are just great indicators of progress, which will help spur you on further.
7. Dare to Ask for Help:
Personal trainers are great and often a fantastic experience for those just beginning. They can help you develop your own plan, guide your action in the right way, and give you that extra bit of accountability. A good trainer might be too expensive; however, you can easily find free online resources, from workout videos to articles to guides. Just make sure that they’re from reliable sources.
8. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself:
Fitness is about the journey and not the destination. There are ups, there are downs—there are good days and bad days. It may take longer than you’d hoped for progress to appear and that can be discouraging. Just keep showing up, keep putting in the effort, and trust the process.
And above all, be kind to yourself! You are doing great! Cut yourself some slack when you slip up, and always keep in mind that it’s progress and not perfection that you’re after. Welcome to the club and happy exercising!
Hope this helps! I am open to feedback for any changes that you would like to make. Let me know!
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