One of the hardest parts of getting fit is getting started. We tell ourselves that we should, we procrastinate, we forget. And even if we start right away without hesitation, keeping it up over time is a whole other story! Whether you’re getting fit for the first time or returning after a break, those barriers can be broken down with ease. Here’s a guide to help you kickstart your fitness journey and set yourself up for repeat success.
Know Your Goals
Before diving into fitness, take some time to ask yourself what you hope to achieve. Write down (mentally or physically) your goals and revisit them along the way to track your progress. Knowing exactly why you’re getting fit may be all the motivation you need to get going and continue to go.
Forget the First Day Nerves
Walking into a gym for the first time is a bit like starting a new job. You feel a bit awkward, a bit like an intruder. You see all these unfamiliar faces and don’t quite know where yours fits in. However, it doesn’t take long to feel completely comfortable, and it leaves you wondering why you felt nervous in the first place.
Start Slowly
It’s tempting to start your fitness journey hard and fast, but be careful! Even if you’ve done it all before but not for a while, you run the risk of injury if you overdo it at the beginning. At the very least, you’ll be incredibly sore for a few days after, thanks to our good friend DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness). To avoid this, start light, almost at a warm-up level. Light weights or an easy jog on the treadmill might do the trick, or even some gentle group classes like barre. It might feel insufficient, but better that than hobbling around for the rest of the week and having to skip the gym just after you started! As you get more accustomed to your training, gradually build the intensity.
Find Your Fitness
Exercise shouldn’t be a chore; it should be something you look forward to. Try your hand at a variety of workouts at different levels of intensity and get a feel for which one resonates with you the most. You might be a weight-lifting woman, but are you all about high weight, low reps, or the other way around? Do you hit the treadmills or exercise bike? Maybe you’d like some strength in numbers—if so, is it reformer pilates, zumba, or body balance? Perhaps you’d prefer some one-on-one training instead? Knowing which fitness style gets you going is what will keep you going. But even your favourite activities can get tiring, so try to switch things up every now and then.
Stay Consistent
Consistency is the key to long-term success in any fitness journey. Squeeze a regular workout routine into your schedule and do your very best to stick to it. Soon enough, it’ll come naturally and without resistance—a bit like brushing your teeth. Even on days when you just don’t feel like it, remind yourself of how good you’ll feel afterward. Nobody ever walked out of a gym feeling worse than when they walked in!
Getting started may be the hardest, most strenuous part of working out. By knowing your goals and creating a good routine, you can embark on your fitness journey with confidence and purpose. Remember that progress takes time, and many of the benefits of fitness are often long-term, so be patient with yourself along the way. With a positive mindset, your fitness goals are closer than they may seem!
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