Three Small Things You Can Do to Kickstart Your Fitness Journey

Two Mistakes I made on My Fitness Journey

Starting to work on your fitness goals can seem very daunting. When I first started working on a healthier lifestyle, I thought running was the best way to lose weight because women are typically encouraged to do cardio rather than lifting weights. I tried apps like Couch to 5k, which I didn't like and couldn't keep up with. Then I tried running on the treadmill, but I felt like a hamster on a wheel. I gave myself shin splints and felt really discouraged from the way my knees ached.

Things went similarly with my nutrition. I thought that I had to be perfect with my diet to lose weight. I didn't understand the basics of macronutrients and calories, so I restricted my diet excessively, which led to binge eating late at night because I was literally starving myself during the day. That would send me into a shame spiral that would cause me to quit. Luckily, I figured out a system that worked for me after a lot of trial and error. So here are three small things you can do to kickstart your fitness journey if you are having trouble sticking to a plan.

Why systems actually matter more than your goal

1. Realize it's not you, it's your system: There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to fitness, and what works for some might not work for you, and that's GOOD! You are unique, and no one is living your life, so find a system that works for you. For example, just because my body wasn't suited for running doesn't mean I wasn't worthy of a healthy physique. It just meant I needed to find an alternative that I enjoy. I discovered boxing and kickboxing, which were easier on my knees and way more interactive than running. Also, having a dedicated class to go to ensured I could get the workout done during my day without procrastination. Pick what you are excited about doing! You'll instantly know what I mean, but if you can't think of something, think back to what you liked to do as a kid!

2. START SMALL and GO SLOW: Most people are so eager to start their journey that they try to do everything at once. If you do this, however, you overwhelm yourself and you can't see what's working and what's not. Instead, choose one thing to focus on each week or every two weeks. For example, I went way overboard with calorie restriction when I first started, adhering to the belief that I should only be eating 1200 calories a day. I cringe thinking of that now. Instead of doing that, I decided to focus on one tiny change each week. The first week, I focused on drinking a glass of water right out of bed each morning. The second week, I focused on getting 2 servings of fruit or veggies each day. These goals are attainable, realistic, and even just sustaining those small habits for an extended period of time has massive health benefits.

3. HAVE FUN and celebrate everything: Got 6,000 steps instead of 10,000? It's much better than being sedentary! Finished a workout that felt really hard? Instead of thinking about how weak you felt during, think about how you just leveled up mentally and physically! Fitness and health are not all doom and gloom. There should be a lightness and a joy surrounding it! The feeling of empowerment should be spilling out of you. And if you aren't looking forward to the changes you are making, do yourself a favor and don't force yourself to continue them. Lifestyle change is forever, not just for 3 months or a year, so if you aren't enjoying the changes, you will not stick with it long-term.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Have you tried any of these tactics? If so, what was the result?

Best in Health,

Coach Nai