How to Start Your Fitness Journey
The journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. Lao Tzu used this proverb to encourage someone to start working towards their goals. And that’s what today’s topic is about: how to start your fitness journey. Rather than just jumping in to get your gains, you gotta prepare.
Good to Go
First stop is the doctor’s office. When was the last time you got a physical exam? Before you even set foot in a gym or hit the track, have a chat with your doctor. Yeah, you hear that all the time, but for good reason. Your doctor’s green light to go or guidelines to get started can literally mean the difference between life and death. Many people don’t realize how far off track their health has gone until their doc goes over the numbers with them. It can be an eye-opening experience, but in a good way.
Where to Go
Your doctor gave you the go-ahead to start your fitness journey. Now what? A wise person once said: if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else. (We found all the great meme quotes today!) Vague goals like feeling healthier or losing weight sound nice but won’t help you map out your plan. The more specific you can get about your goals, the more realistic they’ll feel, giving you both direction and motivation.
Having a Guide
Even if just at first, you may want to work with our personal trainers experienced in building fitness programs. If you’ve never worked out before, a trainer can show you when to push yourself harder or when to back off. They will keep your workouts different and just enough of a challenge to keep you growing without getting discouraged. And they can remind you how far you’ve come while keeping your goals and timelines realistic.
Schedule Your Sweat Sessions
When you work with a trainer, you make appointments for their undivided time. If you join a group fitness class, you go to the classes that work in your schedule. When you work out on your own, try to have a set time blocked off to work out anyway. Even if your schedule forces you to move that time around, keep it as part of your weekly habit.
Fuel Up for the Journey
You’ve heard the expression garbage in, garbage out? If you treat your body like trash and feed it junk food, you’re going to get garbage results. Ensuring you eat enough complex carbohydrates to fuel your workout and protein to rebuild muscle afterwards is key. If you need help getting started on healthier options for the traditional American diet, one of our trainers can offer pointers.
Celebrate Your Accomplishments!
No matter where you are on your fitness journey, celebrate milestones large and small. This is especially important when you hit the inevitable plateaus. You can look back and feel proud of how far you’ve come. Living a healthy, fit lifestyle isn’t a destination. If you’re truly committed to the journey, you’re embarking on a lifelong journey. And the benefits of an active lifestyle extend far beyond your initial goals.
Ready to start your fitness journey? We’re here to help get you on your way. We can also help you get back on track if you’ve gone a little off course. Call us at 724-69102769 or stop by the front desk during regular staffed hours.