When I started my fitness journey, I was by myself and decided not to tell anyone about it. It was difficult and slow at first and I can't count how many times I thought about giving up.
Now, almost nine months later, I am open and honest about my struggles and triumphs throughout this whole experience. I give and received countless pieces of advice and believe I have made a big impact on those around me. It has made me into a more resilient, content, energetic, and understanding person. I even strive to pursue a career in nutritional sciences, a path I would have never pictured myself on.
Here are some tips I wish someone had told me at the very beginning that I learned over time from other people and my own experience.
1. Start with altering your diet.
These blueberry muffins are gluten-free and made with avocado in place of butter or oil!
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From experience, cutting back on certain foods, such as refined sugars found in sodas and desserts increase energy. There are hundreds of new diets to try that best fit your schedule and eating habits. You can start by changing one meal a day to be healthier and slowly move to all three. Also, using substitutes and healthier alternatives for cooking or baking can make a big difference. Eventually, after you have got your eating habits in a better place, move on to expanding the lifestyle.
2. Do not listen to the scale.
Weight is dependent on your height, the time of day, and how much muscles you have. Strength training will lean out your body to get rid of fat but put on muscles that are heavier than fat. So if you don't see a change in the scale, instead focus on pictures to determine differences
3. Start planning your workout routine.
Write down your routine in a planner or have a set goal in mind. It's a bad idea to go in without an idea or you might lose concentration and motivation. You also might waste time or have an inefficient workout that can eat up time in your schedule.
4. Listen to your body.
In order to do a long workout, your body needs fuel and the proper nutrients. While cutting back on fats and carbohydrates is important, those are often the food groups that will charge your body
5. Learn certain ways your body changes throughout the day.
Your body is constantly shrinking and expanding throughout the day. Your stomach will look bigger after a long meal or drinking an excess amount of water. Your body will also gain "water weight"
6. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
There is no shame in inquiring to people who are more advanced about how to use a weight machine or how long to do cardio. You would not know! It is easier in the long run and you can always adjust their advice to what fits your routine.
7. Learn how to effectively workout.
Research the correct form, ways to use different machines, workout plans, and tips in order to maximize your time at the gym. You are going to end up wasting your time if you do not execute it properly.
8. Find a group of people who share a fitness journey.
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Whether it is a team or community of people, being in a group of people who are motivated to stay fit will keep you motivated as well.
9. Before and after pictures are a great way to see a difference and keep you motivated.
You will not see instant results from simply looking in the mirror, but comparing and contrasting them to previous photos of you body will show a real difference.Take front, side, and back views every two weeks to see change in your body.
10. Know that results will not happen overnight. Have patience.
This is probably the biggest lesson to learn when you decide to be active. You have to work your way up to the place you want to be, such as slowly building up the number of pounds you lift per week, increasing cardio, and cutting foods out of your diet.
11. Don't be afraid to switch up your workout routine.
Every two to three months, your body will get used to your workout routine and start to plateau. This simply means your workout are not as effective and you are not seeing or feeling a difference. Do not be scared to switch it up and try something new! If one month you did solely strength training, try incorporating yoga, boxing, or cycling in addition or in place of it.
12. Let the little things motivate you.
Whether it is buying a new wardrobe, fitting into new things, clearer skin, or an overall healthier feeling body, sometimes small reasons will motivate you to head to the gym or choose the healthier option.
13. Don't beat yourself up for eating unhealthy. Eat the ice cream.
Often times, people will take an 80/20 rule where a majority of the time they will eat healthy and then the rest can be whatever they want. Beating yourself up over eating something unhealthy is a step back on your fitness journey. The way to stay motivated is to always move forward and try and make the right choices in the moment. It is all about balance while still remaining happy with your choices.
Starting a fitness journey is 50% mental and 50% physical. Often times, half the battle is getting up and making the decision to see results. It deals with a lot of patience and sacrifice to get yourself on this path. However, once you are motivated to see a change in the way you live, act, and feel, you could not image yourself living any other way.
