We all have good intentions about starting our fitness journey, but often times we find ourselves overwhelmed or disappointed that we weren’t able to meet our expectations of reaching our goals. A lot of the time we try to jump right in, be super restrictive or over commit ourselves when beginning our fitness journey. While that may work for a few, that approach more often than not leads to disappointment, frustration and wanting to give up. Before you call it quits, you may just need to adjust your approach. Here are a few things that I try to help my clients understand in order to set themselves up for success along their fitness journey.
You cannot compare where you are today to where you were however many years ago. Your life isn’t the same as back then, your environment isn’t the same as back then, you are not that same age as back then and that is ok. Recognizing where you currently are and having goals to be able to do some of those same things is great, but you have to realize that it is going to take time to be able to do those things again.
The “I used to be able to ____” approach isn’t going to get you to your goals any faster. So while wanting to be able to do those things again is completely fine, don’t use it as a way of putting yourself down because you aren’t there yet.
Ease yourself into your journey. Going from not having an exercise/movement regimen to doing 6 days a week is going to be very hard to maintain. Start with a schedule that you know is fail proof. If you know that you can commit to one day a week easily, without fail, start there. Once that one day becomes a seamless/consistent part of your schedule add in a second day and build upon that. It takes time and consistency to reach your goals, so allow yourself the time to implement a schedule that you can keep up.
Know that not every day is going to feel great and you may not feel motivated to move but show up for yourself and do it anyway, you will thank yourself for it. One of the hardest things to do is consistently show up especially when you are tired or just don’t feel like it. I find that on those days that by just showing up I end up feeling better for it after. These are those moments where utilizing discipline to help you navigate not having the motivation or the want to move will help you remain consistent.
I think the most important piece of advice I can tell anyone when starting your fitness/movement journey is to give yourself grace. This journey isn’t always easy, it doesn’t always feel good, you will feel like you aren’t making progress and you will feel like wanting to quit. In these moments be kind to yourself. Remember this is a journey and it won’t be completed in one day and it won’t be ruined in one day either. Taking it one day at a time and remaining kind to yourself will make the journey feel a little more doable.
Keep Moving, My Friends
Jowan
About the arthor:
Hey everyone!
My name is Jowan Ortega and I am partner at Form Fitness Brooklyn. Being a former athlete, I have transitioned from playing sport to finding a space on the sidelines as someone who relishes in helping others find joy in movement. I believe there is no one way to move or one size fits all to movement. My goal is to encourage my clients to find something within themselves that they didn't see was there, to make the gym feel a little less intimidating, for them to understand that they belong in any fitness space, sometimes you've just got to try and see what happens and to find the joy in moving their body in a way that works for them. Most importantly, this is their journey not mine.I am happy to be a part of it and help any way I can.
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