Over the course of the day, an abundance of ideas on how to make our lives better seems to pop up out of the blue. We see an online ad and dream up a healthier meal plan, a more organized sleep schedule, and the start of a fitness journey that will change our lives. However, more often than not, turning these ideas into reality isn’t as easy as meets the eye.
After all, living a healthier life isn’t just something that happens in a day. On the contrary, it’s an entire list of microscopic mundane decisions we choose to make every day to improve our lives. With that said, there are still a few tips and tricks that will help keep our fitness journey on track. You’ll find the four golden rules for keeping you on a straightened fitness arrow below!
1. Starting from scratch – a worthy beginning
When finding excuses for failing to start their fitness journey, most people will fall back on timing. The truth is – there’s never a right time to implement healthier habits. As that dried-out saying goes, there’s no better time than the present. Thus, without thinking it over too much, start finding healthier alternatives for your day-to-day activities. Instead of a car ride to work, consider a walk. Once you get there, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
While these changes may seem insignificant, they’re a great place to start. As time goes by, you’ll start noticing more and more patterns in your schedule that could be replaced with healthier alternatives. After a while and once you’ve built up a bit of stamina, it will be time for a monthly gym membership and a weekend bike ride with friends.
2. Something to look forward to – goals (big and small)
Before subscribing to a fitness program or committing to a renowned dietitian, stop and think – what’s the end goal? For some, the answer may be weight loss, while for others, it could be gaining stamina. Whatever the ultimate goal may be, it’s important to define it before beginning a fitness journey.
That said, grand goals are not the only ones that matter. Results won’t happen overnight and because of this, it’s crucial to set smaller, more achievable goals as well. See what progress you’d like to make in a week, month, and then a year. If you’re uncertain of how realistic these goals are, consider consulting with an expert, like a trainer or nutritionist – they’ll assess exactly where you are and where you’re going.
3. The little joys of fitness – packing your gym bag
A widespread misconception about fitness is that the desire to work out will just appear one morning out of the blue. Unfortunately, the people who show up first in the gym aren’t willing but determined. With that in mind, every newbie gym rat needs a bit of a push in the morning and a simple thing like the right gym bag may just do the trick.
While it may sound silly at first, the right gear can be a game-changer. Picking just the right workout outfit or water bottle will take your mind off the hard work to be done in the gym. Simple tasks like finding the best shoe bags for the gym may even motivate people who are just starting out on their fitness journey.
4. Making time for fitness – a deal breaker
When we decide to work out, our schedules don’t automatically open up. Choosing to instill healthier habits also entails making time for them. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the privilege to work out during the day or not make it home in time to prepare a healthy dinner from scratch.
A person set on changing their ways for the better needs to find time to implement these changes. Almost every town has a gym that works non-stop and thus suits just about everyone. On the other hand, if you can’t get away for an hour, make your fitness journey a family affair – go for an evening stroll or a weekend bike ride.
Beginning a fitness journey is never easy. There will be days you feel like giving up and just staying in bed. Along the four tips above, the secret is to remember who you’re doing this for – and that’s you. You’re choosing to make better and more sound choices to increase your quality of life and your overall happiness.