I remember when I first started my fitness journey, I was an insecure, overwhelmed teen with no idea how to begin. Now during quarantine, I have been reflecting on my journey and what I wish I had done differently. From my own experiences and through that of my friends, I have put together some tips for those of you who are just getting started on your fitness journey or if you’ve taken some time off and are trying to get back into it. Newbie or seasoned fitness geek, I hope these tips can help you maximize your potential during your fitness journey and, most importantly, have fun!
- Start Slow
-
When I first started working out regularly, I was intimidated by the fitness enthusiasts at the gym. When I tried to work out home, I struggled to keep up with all the high-intensity work-outs on YouTube starring chiseled, muscular fitness experts. However, I kept pushing myself with my goals in mind.
- Fitness Can Be Fun!
-
Find an activity that you truly enjoy doing! In high school, I used to think that going to the gym and forcing yourself to get on a treadmill for an hour was to stay in shape. Then, I discovered kickboxing. It was a whole new way to exercise. Hour-long, high-intensity sessions flew by in a heartbeat and I enjoyed every adrenaline spiking second. I would be red and sweating buckets after an hour-long kickboxing work out, and leave excited to go back the next day. I also realized that I could use my love for dance as a form of fitness and decided to try Zumba and other YouTube dance workouts on my low-intensity days.
- Find a Buddy!
-
Everything is better with a friend! My first few attempts at following a consistent fitness routine were difficult. During college, my best friend and I started going to the gym together and I began looking forward to hanging out with her. It made me look forward to going to the gym! I realized that working out with someone you enjoy being around can help with accountability and motivation, but also make the experience more fun overall.
- Don’t Forget the Importance of Diet!
-
I know many people who start off their fitness journey by working out consistently, every day and do not see results. Then a few weeks later they come back to me and say that they are finally seeing the results they wanted. What changed? Most often than not, it was their diet. When I first started watching what I ate, I started by calorie counting. Now, I do not encourage calorie counting for fitness newbies, especially if they are young. It can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food if they are not yet used to dieting. Instead, I recommend finding a method that is sustainable long term and ensures a healthy relationship with food. I currently use intermittent fasting and try to avoid processed foods, although we all know I will indulge in that occasional cookie. Try not to be too strict with yourself and know that a cookie once in a while won’t throw off all your hard work. This was also something I wish I realized early on.
- Have the Right Kind of Motivation.
-
I think it is important to acknowledge the importance of working out for health and not for appearance. This was something that took me quite a while to grasp. If I have learned anything from my fitness journey, it is that the best way to stay motivated and consistent is to view fitness as a way to take care of your body for the future and being a healthier version of your already amazing self.
Remember, everyone’s fitness journey is different and it might take some time to figure out which strategies work best for you. However, I hope these tips I have gathered from my own experiences help guide you as you start your fitness journey. Now grab that yoga mat or drive down to the gym, and let’s get this started!