If you are new to working out or have not exercised in a long time and are not sure where to start, here are a few helpful tips for you to follow!
This article will talk about goal setting, making a plan, and how to seek help from a professional. If you are new to working out, there is no doubt that starting can be overwhelming. So, let’s ask ourselves what we want out of this lifestyle change.
What is our goal and why do we want to exercise?
Well just to set things straight being active is a critical piece to the sustainability of life itself. Our bodies are meant to move and to be challenged from time to time to function at high levels for long periods.
In other words, when it comes to setting goals for yourself remember exercise and activity is a necessity to human life just like food and water our bodies need exercise for survival. It’s okay to have weight loss/ gain, performance/ strength, and health-related goals.
However, it’s important to make goals that have more substance than just appearance alone. Functional goals such as your ability to participate in longer walks or the ability to increase resistance on a particular exercise are better ways to track progress!
Setting goals in relationship to exercise and your ability to exercise longer, faster, harder, or even more times a week over time are great ways to track progress. Setting goals related to looks is something people do often and it is not an impossible goal. It can just lack substance if you are not careful about the reason behind the goals you are setting. Make sure they are goals centered around your actual wants and needs not the thoughts of others and the need for acceptance from those around you.
Once you have developed healthy and appropriate goals for yourself is time to make a plan!
Some people do not like to go to the gym, so if this is you don’t make you plan to go to the gym 5 days a week. There are other alternatives for exercise. There are fitness classes, cycling classes, Pilates, walking, swimming, and many other ways you can start.
Start with something that you enjoy doing most of the days of the week. However, if going to the gym is a goal of yours, then start with once or twice a week and spend the other days doing activities you know you will commit to.
When you have a plan in place you have to see this plan through sometimes having a workout partner or a trainer can be a way to help hold you accountable. Paying for workout plans from fitness coaches online can be another way to hold you accountable, “because you don’t want to just waste your money, do you?” Everyone is a little different when it comes to this. Some people enjoy having a coach there to push them. Some just want a plan to follow. Others want to train with a friend or significant other so they feel that they are accomplishing something together. Then some people are more of a solo act and do better working through this alone.
At the end of the day, it does not matter which way you choose as long as you start and keep grinding! Make sure to be open-minded and willing to learn more on your path to fitness.
