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I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one to have started some sort of health or fitness journey in 2020. However you feel about new years goals and resolutions, the start of a new year is a great time for people to really hit the ground running with what they want for themselves. For a lot of us, that’s improved health and fitness.
Photo by Guillaume Bolduc on Unsplash
I’ve definitely started my own fitness journey this year. I’ve exercised more during the first 2 months of this year than I had done in around 7 years put together. When my anxiety disorder started back in 2011, exercise was the least of my worries. And over the years, my weight went way down and then way up and I’ve not really been able to get a steady hand on my health or fitness. Until now.
Largely due to my anxiety but also other factors too, which I’ll get into. But the point is, I’m on my own health and fitness journey right now and I’m feeling more motivated than ever.
When I was at school, I wanted to be a fitness instructor. That was my dream. I did extra GCSE P.E, I was in the tennis team and did after school trampolining among other things. I also went to gym loads – I think I was only 16 when I got my first gym membership! That particular dream went down hill when I started sixth form but the fact is, I’ve always loved fitness and sport. Ever since I was much younger.
So being back on my own fitness journey feels great. I love being active again. I love sticking my music on (the Jabra true wireless earbuds are great for workouts!) and being in my body. But there’s been a lot to learn and a lot to think about and I wanted to share those pointers with you today. Things to think about when you start your fitness journey!
Photo by Guillaume Bolduc on Unsplash
Finding exercise that you enjoy
This is a HUGE one for me because I get very bored when it comes to certain exercises and that immediately makes me not want to do them. We have an exercise bike at home and I forced myself to go on it daily but I hated it. Late last year, I found Holly Dolke on YouTube and signed up to her exercise programme, which I absolutely love!
Investing in gadgets to help you on your fitness journey
When you start a fitness journey, it definitely can be overwhelming. Especially if – like me – fitness hasn’t been on your agenda for so long. It can be hard to know where start, what to do, how to track your progress and how to know if what you’re doing is having a positive impact on your fitness.
So investing in gadgets to help you on your fitness journey might be a good option for you! Fitness watches are great because not only can you find one to suit almost any budget but their purpose is to collect 24/7 health data, which helps you stick to your goals and understand if what you’re doing is working for you. Check out this page for more advice on the Best fitness trackers.
Variety is the spice of life
As well as finding exercise that you enjoy, it’s also useful to do a range of different sports or exercises to keep the variety in your fitness journey. A range of activities won’t only stop you getting bored as easy but it’s also a great way to work and use different muscles and focus on different elements of your fitness. As well as HIIT workouts, I do a lot of Yoga!
Setting realistic and achievable goals
Goals are so important when it comes to health and fitness. Whether it’s the # of pounds you want to drop, a particular dress you want to fit into by a certain date, a certain amount of weights you want to be able to lift or a distance you’d like to be able to run. Goals are SUPER vital when it comes to your fitness journey. By setting realistic and achievable goals, it’ll keep you motivated and always pushing forward.
Mindset is everything
Exercise is physical. But it starts in the mind first. This one kinda ties in with the point about goals but having a positive mindset towards exercise and your own fitness journey is important to help you keep on track. It’s YOUR journey, nobody else’s. It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing, it matter what YOU are doing.
And definitely un-follow anyone on social media that makes you feel bad about yourself! Only follow positive influences.
You don’t have to starve or deprive yourself
Potentially a point for a whole other post but just to sum it up quickly, a fitness journey does NOT mean that you have to starve yourself or deprive yourself of everything you enjoy in order to reach your goals. That’s not healthy or sustainable. We’ve all heard the line: Everything in moderation! Pinterest is a great place to start for a ton of easy, yummy and healthy recipes.
Are you currently on a fitness journey? How are you getting on? What exercises do you enjoy or not enjoy? Do you have any tips for those just starting out on their fitness journey?
[…] and give you a little nudge to go to your GP if you’re worried about your results. Here are 6 more things to consider when you’re starting your fitness […]
great tips👍🏽 thanks for sharing!
Great post, I really liked the part about not having to starve or deprive yourself. I like to follow the 80/20 rule when it comes to diet. 80% healthy but 20% of whatever the hell I feel like eating too :). Gotta enjoy life as well.
I think that’s a great rule. It’s all about balance!
Thanks Jenny for the great fitness journey article. MirrorAthlete posted it on it’s FB Ageless MirrorAthlete group page. We are now following you. Cheers!
Great blog article Jenny. I’m the Owner of MirrorAthlete.com. I’m posting your article on MirrorAthlete FB page. Do consider joining/sharing your fit healthy lifestyle posts at FB group page: AgelessMirrorAthlete group and MirrorAthlete page. Thanks… Cheers!
Agree to the max! 🙌🏼 Great article!
[…] 6 Things To Consider When Starting Your Fitness Journey — Jenny in Neverland […]
Finding a routine or a set of routines is really important as it helps a person stay interested in their fitness journey. And yes, it is also important to understand that starving or depriving ourselves is only going to deplete us from the inside. Setting, achieving and resetting goals is certainly an important factor to help us continue to remain on-board the pursuit of fitness. It’s a lovely blog. 🙂
Thank you. Goals are very important when it comes to fitness, I agree.
Improvement is the greatest feeling, it reinforces so many vital mindset characteristics (e.g. “you can change”).
And physical objectives is an incredibly efficient means at promoting that mindset.
There is always a new way to get stronger, or another muscle to develop.
There’s so much you can do with nutrition and plenty of exploration. Both mental and physical.
Exercising gives my life its energy!
In so many ways.
Non-negotiables of being a living creature are: Movement, Nutrition, and Rest.
A proper exercise routine hits all of these. The fact that brains even exist is likely due to movement and the need to make calculations.
You can improve in every way through it! Disicpline, intelligence, emotional well-being, how you feel, etc. Not to mention appearance!
Simply put, it is pretty important 😉
I LOVE these kind of things 😏
Especially the discipline and mental side, as that is what my writing focuses on.
Great post, thanks for sharing! 😄😄
Hi, i just gave it a read and it was worth it! I have similar fitness posts on my blog, please check it out and let me know- itseverythingmen.wordpress.com
Couldn’t agree more with finding something you enjoy. It’s really half the battle if you do. I’ve found a great local studio gym and all they offer is classes which is perfect for me.
https://littlemissmelanie.com/
It really is!
I’m kind of on a mental fitness journey if that counts! xD I figured I needed to get a stable hold on that before I get myself back in the gym. Though I have lost 5lbs somehow! haha!
Oh that definitely counts!