Are you trying to set fitness goals, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. The word “fitness” can look scary. People plan their New Year’s resolutions around it, post intimidating gym photos with fitness in the captions, and some plan their lifestyle around fitness. But fitness doesn’t need to be scary. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, being “fit” or “healthy” just means “showing physical, mental, or emotional well-being.” We are all capable of being fit. Just remember a few key things:
- Everyone’s standard for fitness is different. For some, it means eight-pack abs and biceps the size of watermelons. For others, it simply means taking a walk around the block. Fitness looks different for everyone, and that’s the way it should be.
- You don’t need to go to a gym to be fit. Everyone hates signing up for a gym membership, going twice in a year, and then canceling it because it costs too much money. Luckily, gyms aren’t the only path to fitness.
- You won’t reach your goals overnight. It’s beneficial to set long-term goals when starting out on your fitness journey, as long as you realize that your life won’t magically change overnight. Fitness means consistently showing up for yourself, even if you don’t see results immediately. Results will come with time and patience.
With these three reminders in place, it’s time to start down the road to fitness.
Set Your Minute
Finding a time to exercise that is perfect for you is vital to sticking to your fitness goals. There is no set “right time” to work out—only the right time for you. If you feel energized in the morning, work out at that time. If you need to wind down before bed, then choose that time to work out. It doesn’t matter, as long as it works for you.
After choosing the right time of day, you need to plan your week. Do you want to work out five days a week? Seven? Three? You can even start exercising two or three days a week and then increase your sessions as you begin to find your rhythm. If you don’t feel you’re getting enough time outside of work to exercise, you can find some tips for staying healthy with a sedentary work style here.
Train your brain to expect workouts by sticking to a schedule. You don’t have to work out at the same time every day, but you need to be consistent. Write down your schedule in a planner or set reminders on your phone for at least the first few weeks to establish your fitness routine. If you’ve scheduled a workout, then do your best to work out at that time. This ensures that exercising becomes a habit instead of a phase.
Eventually, your workouts will naturally flow with your routine, and you won’t have to remind yourself to work out. Fitness can be a hard habit to establish, but if you stay consistent with your workout schedule, it will become second nature in no time.
Start with a Moment
You don’t need to begin your journey with two-hour workouts. In fact, you shouldn’t—the quickest way to ensure a burnout is by starting with sky-high goals. The key to sticking to your fitness goals is making them attainable. Your first few exercises should be between five and fifteen minutes. Beneficial fitness routines can be done in small amounts of time. Here are just a few to get you inspired:
- Take a jog around the block. You don’t have to be fast, but do your best not to stop! Keeping your body moving is the best way to stay focused on your workout.
- Do five squats, five push-ups, and five sit-ups. With this combination, you can exercise your legs, core, and arms all in the same workout.
- Find a short YouTube video and follow along. There are endless videos online with quick-and-easy workouts for beginners. Find one that aligns with your fitness goals and use it as a guide.
- Play a game. Not all workouts have to be torturous. Find a basketball or volleyball, jump on a trampoline, get a jump rope, play hopscotch, or ride a bike. Getting your body moving is the goal, and it’s even better if you have fun along the way!
Get yourself used to those five- to fifteen-minute workouts. You don’t need to do the same routine every day. Switch it up. You never know what kind of workout might turn out to be your favorite.
After a few weeks of performing your exercise routine, try increasing your time by five minutes. You can slowly build your stamina without the risk of overtiring yourself. When your new routine starts to feel comfortable after a couple of weeks, increase your time by another five minutes. You can continue this method for as long as you want until you’ve either reached your fitness goals or found the routine and length that works for you.
Here’s a tip! If you increase your workout time and it begins to feel like too much, stick with it for one week. If the new time still overwhelms you, then go back down by five minutes. It’s okay to realize your limits!
Strategize Your Merriment
A great way to keep yourself on the road to fitness is to enjoy the ride. There are many ways to make your fitness journey fun.
First, find a way to keep your mind engaged and entertained while you work out. Fitness requires mental toughness, so giving your brain something to focus on while your body works can be a great help. This can look different for everyone—maybe you like audiobooks, a great playlist, or something else entirely—the point is to find something you enjoy. If your go-to is a playlist, try to find music that energizes you. That will help you push toward the finish line (metaphorically or literally).
Another way to enjoy your fitness journey is to reward yourself. Whether you reach a new personal best, increase your exercise time, or just finish a workout, it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments. There are countless ways to congratulate yourself, but here are a few to get you started:
- Get yourself a healthy treat. Find something you love and treat yourself after you’ve reached a new goal or finished a hard workout.
- Take a break. After exercising, you may be both mentally and physically exhausted. Take time afterwards to let yourself breathe. Kick up your feet and relax. Read, watch a movie, nap, or just exist for a little while. You’ve earned some downtime.
- Pamper yourself. You’re here because you want to improve your fitness. But it’s important to remember that after we push ourselves, we need to take care of our overall wellness, too. Take a long bath and use that bath bomb you’ve been saving. Use a face mask and take care of your skin. Plan an occasional spa day. Drink a smoothie. Go out of your way to reward yourself after a good workout.
An important step on your fitness journey is taking time to reward yourself. You deserve a little rest, relaxation, and retreat after pushing yourself and meeting your goals.
Stick to your Map
Even with all these fitness tips in mind, working out can still be a struggle. That’s okay! Your fitness journey will have setbacks and triumphs. But as long as you keep striving toward your goals, you’ll be able to lead a healthy lifestyle. Now that you have these tips and tools at your disposal, it’s time to step out on the road to your fitness journey. Good luck!
About the Author
Courtney Floyd is a writer, painter, runner, and overall lover of the race of life God has set before us all. She lives in North Carolina, surrounded by a beautiful family and wonderful friends.