If you’ve read through my website, you will no doubt have come across my background. Though it may be hard to believe now, looking at my wins and achievements, I wasn’t always this motivated and good at running!
I still hear many people around me sigh when they find out what I can do, with the inevitable comment that follows, ‘Oh, I wish I could do that, but I’m just not fit enough‘. But, I ask, if I can do it then what is it about you that makes you any different?
Getting Started Is Always the Hard Part
Whilst getting started on any new regime is always going to be a bit of a struggle at the beginning, it is never impossible. The only limits we as humans tend to set ourselves are the ones where we think that changing our routines and perceptions is unachievable. We are all capable of implementing small, but effective, changes into our current lifestyle.
If you don’t like what your life has become, and you want to change your habits, diet and exercise routine, or even if you have never done any exercise before and you want to start – ask yourself what is really holding you back? When you are honest with yourself, you can then begin to work on removing this block.
There can also be legitimate reasons holding you back, such as issues with your muscles and bones, which prevent you from kickstarting your fitness journey. But the key lies in addressing them and finding solutions relevant to your problem. Suppose you have knee or backbone-related issues, you could consider consulting a chiropractor in Cincinnati, OH, or one closer to you. Similarly, if you’re dealing with stiffness in the joints, you could start off with regular yoga and stretches, which could help you gain some strength to perform simple exercises. It is best to ease yourself into working out so that you do not get discouraged when it gets difficult.
You have many options for exercises to start with, so you can find what works for you without much difficulty. There’s the regular gym muscle and cardio routine, yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, and so much more. But you’d want to take it easy in the beginning. Start off with going for walks, and set a time to engage in some free-hand exercises to get your body moving. Once you gain some traction and start seeing some progress in movement and strength, you can shift your focus to other, more elaborate training regimens.
If you find it challenging to fit regular gym visits into your busy schedule, consider the option of bringing the gym to your home. A simple search online can help you find gym equipment available at discounted prices that can enable you to create your personal fitness space. Items like a treadmill or dumbbells can be stored in a designated area within your home, allowing you to work out conveniently whenever your schedule permits. This designated space could be a spare room in your house, or you might contemplate the idea of transforming your basement into a functional area through basement refinishing. Opting for basement refinishing can turn your typically underutilized basement into a dedicated fitness area, complete with suitable flooring, ventilation, and lighting. This can create an environment that fosters motivation, helping you maintain a consistent workout routine.
Remember, the kind of exercise you do should offer you longevity and long-term benefits. It should not be those that compromise your joints. This makes it easier to carry on with your fitness regime when you’ve crossed the 50-year mark. Speaking of which, the importance of fitness in your older years is paramount. A healthy lifestyle around retirement can potentially reduce the chances of you developing an age-related disease.
Start Small – Rome Wasn’t Built in A Day!
Why most people fail to begin, I believe, is that they set themselves impractical goals at the very beginning. If you haven’t exercised for some time, you will not be able to go and run a 5k marathon in one day! Be realistic – Yes, you could one day run this marathon without a doubt, but currently, you are nowhere near this stage. So, what do you need to do about it?
- Sit down and write out what you want to achieve with your fitness regime.
- Set yourself a penultimate goal and work out how much time, practically, it will take to arrive at this stage.
- Set yourself smaller easier goals that will lead you towards this final one.
- Make things realistic.
- Allow a little room for manoeuvre.
- Reward yourself in some way for each successful achievement.
- Treat the journey with respect, and fully commit to it
Do Not Go It Alone
Success in fitness is greatly enhanced by working with someone, or partnering up with somebody else who can encourage your progress. Let those closet to you know about your journey and ask for their understanding during this transitional stage. Sometimes all it takes is just one encouraging word to keep you on track when the going gets tough.
