Fitness Tips for Beginners

Celebrate Your Decision to Become a Healthier You

It’s important to first be glad that you’re taking steps in the right direction. You should be proud of yourself for getting ready to embark on this road. My fitness journey has been about 4 years in the making, and trust me when I tell you the mental battles are the hardest ones to deal with, especially in the beginning stages. Get excited! Your skills and strength are about to take off!

Variety Equals Success

Try a wide variety of workouts so that you can find a few that you actually enjoy. If you like something, you’re more likely to stick to it. When you’re consistent, you’ll get results. However, in order to be consistent at something, you have to enjoy doing it. If you hate your workouts or get bored by them, you’ll burn out and quit. Your fitness journey should eventually become as much of a habit as brushing your teeth – and I hope you’re all doing that! On a serious note, there is no one size fits all approach to fitness and there are a variety of things you can do to help get yourself “in shape” and thankfully so. While taking charge of your health should eventually become habit, it should just as much be individualized. Are you a natural at lifting heavy weights? Do you have endless amounts of endurance? Build on your strengths and natural abilities, but don’t be afraid to try something new so you can get good at doing something else. Chances are, you won’t be good at everything, and that’s okay!

The Only Best Time to Work Out Is the Time That Works for You

You have to fit in what you can – when you can. There is so much information out there telling you to work out at this time of day or that time of day. I have had some lifestyle needs that have only allowed for late night workouts. At one point I was only able to work out immediately after work. Currently, my workout routine can only happen at the crack of dawn – 5 am, otherwise it just might not get done at all. Do your days get very busy not allowing for you to give much of your time later in the day? If so, early mornings may be your best bet. Do you often feel the need to blow off steam after a long day? If so, evenings may be better. Do you have a job that offers relatively long lunch breaks? You may be able to squeeze a session in midday.
There is no best time for everyone, but there is a best time for YOU, depending on your lifestyle demands.

Be Realistic About Time Frames

Losing weight, gaining strength, boosting endurance, increasing flexibility, and overall wellness, you need to remember, are long-term goals. It would be splendid if it all happened instantly. Buuuuuuttttt… NEWSFLASH… It doesn’t! I know it’s difficult to have to wait on the results you want, especially if you’re just starting out and everyone else seems to be in the midst of their greatness, which is right where YOU want to be. Just remember the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. It’s important to look at fitness as a big picture, a multi-faceted one, and things WILL NOT happen overnight. Changes may not even be noticeable day to day, however they WILL happen. I’m still working on myself and I have quite a few spots that could use some tweaking here and there. I would love to be able to lift heavier, move faster, and become more agile. Yet, at the same time, I’ve come to understand that this is all about progression, and perfection isn’t necessarily a thing. It’s not about how good you are, just focus on how good you want to be. I’ve come to learn that it’s truly the little things that matter.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that is out there regarding the best exercise routines, supplements, cleanses, diet fads, workout accessories, etc. Naturally, we research and research and research some more. We overthink everything and eventually get stuck before we start – paralysis by analysis. Just simplify everything and watch how easy things get. The main things to keep in mind are: more wholesome foods vs. junk foods. Physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Get good at your workout routine and the movements so that it’s effective.

There are many correct ways to get to the other side of the forest. Just keep taking steps forward in the right direction and you’ll eventually pop out on the other side. It doesn’t really matter if you you step to the left or the right of a particular tree. Now get up, get moving… today… like right now! Drop and gimme 15!!! Didn’t that feel good??? Now guess what??? You’ve started!!! (clap, clap, clap) Don’t stop now!

Photos by Febbers Still Scenes