Z. Johnson
If you already made the decision to change your life for the better and be healthier, congratulations! You are not only part of a trending fitness movement, but you’ve chosen to really get your health in your hands! Well, being healthy is definitely essential, not only for us to have a better life expectancy, but to be happier. I know you’ve been wondering how to start your fitness journey, since there is so much information out there. Don’t worry. Even though starting and keeping up with the journey can become overwhelming for certain people, it doesn’t have to be that way.
From my own personal experience and from working with people, I can share a lot of thoughts with you. Being on a fitness journey is very rewarding, as you notice changes not only physically, but also spiritually and mentally. Your whole body evolves, and I think, this is the most valuable part of getting in shape. There is a lot involved, from having that cool mindset, the discipline, self-motivation and self-worth that will keep you going. Achieving that healthy lifestyle you truly desire comes with certain good sacrifices at the beginning, most of them really worth doing. Here, I’ll show you how to start your fitness journey, with 10 of the best strategies.
1. Get started with the right mindset
As I mentioned earlier, being fit and healthy all starts with having the right mindset. It’s important to always set a positive tone and attitude. Of course, you may say, it’s easier said than done, especially since we are not always on the same good mood. I get it, we all have bad days, but did you know that working out when you are down or stressed can make you feel much better? Think about it, no gimmick here. From my own experience, I can say that being physically active has been one of my best therapies for having a balanced mental health.
Also, having a positive attitude is necessary to be successful in anything in life. And it goes the same with your fitness journey. So, be optimistic and always think of the all the good things you can achieve by getting fit. As I stated about the surprising reasons to lose weight, there are more pros than cons you didn’t even know by eating healthy and being active. That’s why it’s important to learn how to start your fitness journey by just developing a positive mindset.
2. How to start your fitness journey: Set realistic goals
This, I would say has been the breakthrough in my own personal fitness journey. Being realistic is key folks! So many times we see on social media, ideals of beauty and body image. Also, we come across promotions that promise quick results, perfect waistlines, with little to no efforts in the long run. Beware of these false expectations! Your fitness journey takes time and it’s not an overnight thing. Remember that every good lasting result comes from consistency over perfection. Because of this, being realistic and setting the right intentions for your mind and body is key to not falling prey of these premises. As well, it will avoid a lot of anger and frustration. Focus on you and never compare yourself to a certain standard!
3. Find professional support and advice
An important key to getting in shape is finding the right support for you. It’s not that you can’t do things on your own, but getting the right assessment from a nutritionist or a fitness professional will certainly go a long way. An important step on how to start your fitness journey is to acknowledge you need help to guide you through the best path. A certified health professional can educate you well on making the right choices, as well as to help you track your goals and progress. If you are looking for a nutritionist that can support your eating needs, you can contact me here.
4. How to start your fitness journey: Set a schedule
Having a calendar at hand will make life so much easier for you. Do you think it might be tedious to planning your fitness journey activities? Well, I dare you try starting without a planner, especially when you have a busy schedule. Trust me, planning your workout routines, or simply doing meal prepping will definitely be a life changer for you. You don’t have to do anything fancy, just setting your alarm for your exercises, for example, can make a huge difference. At the beginning, it may be challenging, but then once it becomes part of your lifestyle, you will find it so much easier to stick to it.
5. Make your own vision board
Just as with other career goals in life, making your own vision board will be very useful. This is especially true for motivation and tracking your progress. Vision boards are very practical when you are learning how to start your fitness journey. A vision board will help you visualize where you want to be and the results you want to achieve. It will also drive you to become disciplined and motivated. As well, vision boards are easy to help you become accountable.
6. Get accountability partners or groups
Speaking of accountability, joining a group of “fit pals” or having accountability partners will help you boost your confidence and let go of fears. I know that starting out can be scary, especially if you’ve been on a long struggle to lose weight or stay consistent, for example. Well, the good news is that surrounding yourself with people who are looking for the same goals as you are in terms of fitness can definitely relieve the stress. You’ll likely get along very well as you’ll be all looking for achieving the best version of yourselves. If your boyfriend or spouse is in with you, take the chance! Look for positive like-minded people, go-getters and those who push you to move forward with your goals.
7. How to start your fitness journey: Track your progress
Tracking your progress is another important step on how to start your fitness journey. Just as you set goals, make periodic checkings to your progress. When it comes to eating habits, save a tracker and jot down any changes you notice in things like appetite, fullness, food preparation, cravings, etc. In terms of exercise, you can make monthly checks and even after 90 days. Remember that patience is key! No matter how small or big are the changes, if you see positive results, celebrate your wins! Doing something is really much better than achieving nothing.
8. Set your mood on fire! Motivation
Yes, motivation baby! You need to stay motivated in order to keep the pace going. That’s the key to get going even after you came back from a vacation summer trip with the family! Staying on track is freeing yourself from guilt, but also knowing that balance is part of a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, self sabotage comes from guilt, shame, anxiety and stress. Do your best to keep a healthy mindset, develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise, and you’ll be closer to your goals in no time!
9. Eat and train according to your needs
Well, this seems like pretty much a no-brainer. However, people still seem to struggle with this aspect, weird as it may sound. And, the reason why I highlight this is because people tend to follow what they see on the media, so much advertising and body comparison. This creates false illusions and expectations, in certain cases, making you fall into unhealthy eating or exercise regimens. You just need to eat and workout according to your specific body type and goal. Nobody is perfect, and results don’t come with the push of a button, but you know that by targeting your eating habits and active lifestyle to your particular life will make a significant difference. Remember that the best thing you can do is follow professional advice and compete against yourself.
10. How to start your fitness journey: Sleep well!
Who thought that sleep wasn’t part of a healthy fitness journey? In fact, studies show that having a good night sleep is important to help your body recover the right way, boost your metabolism, regulate your hunger hormone levels and burn body fat! Actually getting anywhere around 8 hours of sleep is highly recommended if you are learning how to start your fitness journey. It will not only help to clear your mind, but being rested will also get you in a great mood the next day. One of the reasons why people struggle with weight loss, is the lack of sleep. Therefore, getting those good sleeping hours will make your life happier.
In short…
Starting your own fitness journey doesn’t have to be complicated at all! All you need to do is create the right mindset, start planning and visualizing your goals, get proper guidance, surround yourself with people that will motivate you and develop the appropriate healthy habits. Most importantly, practice self love. Taking care of you is the most valuable asset you can have to create better quality of life. If you are ready to take things to the next level, head over here to get the best transformation resources. Also, remember to share this article with your friends and loved ones. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Xoxo.
