10 TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY
Starting your fitness journey for the first time can be one of the most exciting aspects of improving your health and overall quality of life.
However, with so much conflicting information available, it can be hard to know where to begin.
In this post, I want to help you to start your fitness journey today by giving you 10 simple tips to walk your first step towards a fit and healthy life.
1. SET GOALS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU
Your goals when starting your fitness journey should be specific, measurable and based on your interests and abilities. When setting your goal, make sure it’s one that you really want to achieve and that it’s realistic given your current fitness level, lifestyle and available time.
2. MAKE REALISTIC FITNESS PLANS
If you’re new to exercise, it can be tempting to go all out and try to reach your fitness goals right away. But you’ll likely burn out quickly if you do that or worse, you could get injured. Instead, set small, attainable goals.
For example, if you’ve been inactive for a while, start with walking 10 minutes a day and build up your endurance from there. Or if you want to join a gym, don’t plan on going seven days a week. Start with three days per week and then increase your frequency once you feel more comfortable.
3. GET AN EXERCISE PARTNER TO SHARE THE FUN AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY
Exercise buddies keep you motivated, push you to work harder, celebrate your successes and commiserate when things aren’t going as well as planned. Working out with friends can also stimulate competition in a positive way, which may encourage you to go farther than you would on your own.
4. COMMIT TO TRACKING YOUR WORKOUTS
When starting your fitness journey, track your progression in your running or weight lifting routine with fitness tracking apps. These apps allow you to log what exercises you’ve done. We have a great online beginner program coming soon! Progress tracking is important because it helps you stay motivated and gives you an overview your improvements along the way.
5. FIND A GOOD TRAINER TO TEACH YOU THE BASICS (SO YOU DON’T GET INJURED!)
If you don’t know where to start, a good personal trainer can help you learn how to use the machines, which are best for your goals, and how many reps and sets to do.
We have heaps of options for face to face and online programs here.
6. ONLINE COACHING IS A GOOD OPTION IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD A TRAINER
Look into online coaching programs that allow you to train from the comfort of your home or give you some guidance in the gym. Some will even pair you with remote trainers who can help guide and motivate you to reach your goals. Ours even come with an interactive app and video tutorials!
7. STAY POSITIVE AND DON’T LOSE HOPE
Although you might initially feel sore or tired after working out, it’s important to stay positive and not give up on your goals. If you don’t see immediate results, don’t get discouraged because staying committed to a fitness routine will pay off in the long run.
8. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE ELSE
It’s fantastic to observe someone else’s progress as inspiration for your own goals, but don’t compare where you are now with someone else’s entire journey. You’re not going to start at the same place and progress at the same rate as everyone else. That’s perfectly normal and OK! Just focus on your own efforts, keep challenging yourself and celebrate your successes along the way.
9. STICK TO YOUR SCHEDULE, BUT DON’T LET ONE BAD DAY BECOME AN “I QUIT”
An achievable training schedule helps you to be disciplined with your training and makes it easier to keep your motivation up- but remember, the only good program is one that gets done, and one set of squats is better than zero.
If you have a bad day, sleep it off and get back on the proverbial horse as soon as you can!
10. MAKE SURE YOUR WORKOUTS ARE FUN
A fun workout is key to consistency. If you’re brand new (or it’s been a while, try yoga, walking or dance-based exercises, try gym classes, give pole dancing or kickboxing a go! You never know- you might find your new passion.
No matter how great your workout plans are, if they’re not fun, you won’t stick to them. You need a workout that is challenging and engaging enough to get the results you want.
REMEMBER, IT’S ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY, TRIAL AND ERROR, AND FUN!
If you’re struggling to kick start your fitness journey, there’s no need to worry. Remember that it takes time and there are many different options available. There are plenty of good resources online that can help you prepare. Be sure to pair up with a friend, find a workout buddy, or make a commitment to someone else, this way you’ll be more likely stick to your plan.
Some people are naturally more active than others, but if you’re genetically predisposed to being sedentary, there’s no reason you can’t add some movement into your day. According to Mayo Clinic even 15 minutes of walking or outdoor activity is enough to reap tonnes of benefits in terms of heart health and weight management.
The first step is simple; get moving. Don’t think about anything other than getting up and doing something. Whether that means taking the stairs when you normally would take the elevator or just walking to the mailbox instead of driving, it all counts! Keep following these tips to make fitness easier and more fun in your life, so that starting your journey towards a healthier lifestyle will become second nature.
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