Exercise can be intimidating, to say the least. The idea of working out can actually be terrifying, especially for beginners. Here are some tips for the novice athlete that I think are beneficial to keep in mind as you progress on your fitness journey. Using this advice, you can make fitness a fun and important part of your everyday life.
1. Do your research
This may seem obvious, but doing research is so important when working out, especially for amateurs like myself. Whether you educate yourself using the Internet, a trainer or just your friends, make sure that you’re getting accurate information to best ensure results and satisfaction in your fitness endeavors. Educating yourself on things like proper form and the best balance of cardio and strength-training is key to success.
2. Set a goal
When you start working out, it’s important to set your goals. I’ve found it helpful to give myself a long-term or overall goal as well as a few small milestone goals to keep me motivated along the way. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle mass or just do something beneficial for your body, setting specific goals is the best way to solidify your success.
3. Try everything until you find what you love
There are so many ways to get in shape, and you might be missing out on a really awesome method of exercise. Be open-minded and give everything a try; you may end up discovering that you love something you never expected. Maybe you go to a yoga class one week, do a Crossfit workout the next week and then try going for a long jog after that. Eventually you’ll find what works best for you; and when you do, it’s time to make your schedule.
4. Make a schedule and stick to it
I’m a very unorganized person in almost every area of my life -- except for my fitness and diet routine. To me, it’s very important to look at my fitness routine as something I need to make room for, not something that I try to squeeze in if I have time. Since committing to a pretty specific routine, I’ve found that I not only stick to it better than if my plan was impulsive and up in the air, but I also enjoy my workouts so much more. When I skip one, my day feels incomplete and I feel unaccomplished. When I complete one, I feel on track and ready to take on more.
5. Start small
This one is important, because as humans we tend to jump into things a bit too quickly, without testing the water first. When you start working out, make sure not to push yourself too hard. Your body won’t be able to handle such difficult training at first, and it will only make you insecure and discouraged. Instead, start out small and increase a little bit every day. Not only is this safer for you body, but it will make you feel more accomplished when you’re able to do more and more.
6. Make it social
Making your workout a social part of your day can be really beneficial. I go to the gym with my friends around twice a week, and once on my own, and I find that having a balance of social workouts and personal workouts works perfectly for me. Whether you have friendly competitions, just stick with each other for moral support or are all training to reach a common goal, sometimes including the people you love in your routine can be very beneficial, as well as a great bonding experience.
7. Be OK with setbacks
Nothing is perfect, and fitness is no exception. Somewhere along the line, you will inevitably have a few setbacks that will postpone your goals. Maybe you just get too busy one week and can’t make it to the gym, or maybe you get injured. Whatever it may be, it’s totally normal and OK to have bumps along the road -- it doesn’t mean you won’t get there. Don’t let a few setbacks demotivated you or keep you from reaching your goals; use them as fuel to work even harder!
8. Keep track
Since you see yourself every day, you may not notice your body changing for a while -- but it is! Keeping track of your body, both internally and on the outside, is the best way to keep yourself motivated when it seems like nothing’s happening. You may find that you love journaling your routines, or that taking weekly pictures works best for you. Either way, keeping a log of your progress is super helpful when it comes to being positive. (Note: the scale is not the most accurate way to keep track! Muscle weighs more than fat, and working out builds a lot of muscle. Don’t be discouraged if you gain a few pounds; it’s about how you feel that matters. At most, weigh yourself twice a month just to check in, but don’t take the number you see to heart.)
9. Push yourself
Once you get comfortable with a routine, it can be difficult to change it at all. It’s important to keep in mind that, in order to see results, you have to increase your training. That may mean doing 50 sit-ups one day and 55 the next -- it doesn’t have to be a lot. Increasing by just a little bit will make a world of a difference.
10. Be patient
Nothing happens overnight. There is no formula to give you your ideal body in one week, and the process of getting in shape is a long one. Be as patient as you possibly can and know that you will reach your goals. It may take a few months, but it’s worth the wait!
Can't wait to see where this journey takes you -- you've got this!
