How Do I Start My Fitness Journey?

For many people, the one thing that holds them back from starting their fitness journey is not knowing where to begin. If you can relate…then this article is for you! With any new endeavor, the first place people look for help is the internet. Oftentimes, the overload of information available can be overwhelming and intimidating before you even step foot in a gym! So, instead of endlessly searching the web, I encourage you to continue reading for a more impactful way to start your fitness journey.

FIND A GOAL

Before you do anything, I want you to ask yourself the following two questions; “Why do I want to work out? What goal do I have that will encourage me to exercise?”. Now, keep in mind that this goal can be as big or as small as you want. For example, you may want to enroll in a Bodybuilding or Swimsuit competition. However, it does not have to be as specific as that. Your goal may be something as simple as wanting to look good in a T-Shirt.

CREATE A TIMELINE

Now that we have step one complete (we have our goal), we need to create a timeline for ourselves. This timeline can be short-term or long-term. For example, you may have the goal of looking good at the beach this summer. Considering it is February and the weather will be warm in 5 months, you will have a timeline of 5 months to work towards achieving that goal. 

Now take a step back and look how far you’ve come! Something that may have felt confusing, daunting, or even intimidating now feels more attainable. We have a goal, we have a timeline, and now we can find the proper method to execute this goal. The final step is to find a personal trainer that compliments you and your goals. 

SELECT A PERSONAL TRAINER

Finding the right personal trainer is as important as finding the right family doctor or physiotherapist. For someone new to the world of fitness, you may not know what to look for in a personal trainer. So, here are a few tips to successfully select a trainer fit for you. First, find a trainer that does fitness assessments. A proper fitness assessment will allow a trainer to provide you with the most effective training program to reach your goals. Second, find a trainer that will hold you accountable for your goals. It was your decision to make these goals, to give yourself a timeline, and to begin working with a trainer. A personal trainer should challenge you while holding you accountable for these goals…especially in times where the motivation may be lacking. This leads me to one of the most important, and at times the most challenging step when beginning your fitness journey, and that is how to stay motivated.

MAINTAIN MOTIVATION

Motivation is a great tool to use in all aspects of life. However, it is essential for sustaining an active lifestyle. We all have days when the thought of exercising is the last thing we want to do. Perhaps you had an extra-long day at work and just want to go home or you made plans after work so the only time to workout is the morning (which may seem unattainable). You may have dependent responsibilities and the last thing you want to do with the free time you have is to exert yourself physically. We have all been there and inevitably will end up there again.

So how do we stay motivated? Well let’s remember why we started in the first place…what is your goal? That first step should be the motivating factor that you can turn to in times of struggle. Have a place where you can look at, or read your goal. Stick a note on your mirror so you remind yourself every morning of your goals and keep that motivation going. Another option is a motivational cellphone background to constantly remind yourself of what you are chasing. All of these tips and tricks can help bring you closer to that goal. Whatever that trick may be that keeps you hungry, use it. You now have the essential building blocks to use as a foundation to start your fitness journey. Remember that even though it is a process, that process will create a stronger you, both physically and mentally.