Four Basic Tips for Starting a Fitness Journey

So you’ve decided you want to become more fit than your current self. That’s great. But where do you go from here? What do you need to get started? Embarking on a fitness journey is multifaceted and tough to figure out. While my keys to success listed below are definitely essential, they are not all-encompassing, and there will be more pieces of your journey that you need to figure out and pull together along the way. But here are some things to keep in mind right off the bat.

1.       Commitment.

Yeah, you need to put a ring on it. Really. Training programs and new eating habits do NOT just happen. Whatever it is you choose to do, you need to set it in your mind that from here on out, you are doing it and that is that. Harsh advice is sometimes the most honest, so here it is: if you struggle with going to the gym as often as you said you would, or you can’t keep the diet you made for yourself, it is because you are not committed enough. Any failures in not being able to keep up with your training or diet, short of a medical issue, is a personal issue with priorities. So before you write out your new diet or training program, have a conversation with yourself and make sure you are ready and willing to make sacrifices and maybe do things you weren’t comfortable doing before; after you have the commitment solidified, it really is easy to stick to, it just becomes routine.

2.        Support System.

Have you ever done something with a big impact on your life, or made a significant decision without discussing it with someone or having someone to talk to that can be empathetic and understand what you are going through? What about stress? Do you enjoy not having anyone to talk to about a thing that is really stressing you out? I didn’t think so. Surrounding yourself with a few like-minded people who are on their own fitness journey or at least understand what you’ve decided to do and the hiccups you experience is so important; this doesn’t mean convincing your significant other to get on your plan and change their diet as well, but it definitely means discussing with them the changes you are going to make and ask them to support you along the way. You don’t want to do this alone, friend. If you are the kind of person who wants a gym buddy in person or at least someone to talk to about your workouts or new #protein recipes, turn to the fitness community! Everyone is very welcoming, and my goodness is it vast. If #Crossfit is your thing, you’ll have no issue, the Crossfit community is huge and very friendly and supportive. Personally, I have been a part of the #Crush60 community for about half a year, and it is amazing. Everyone is very encouraging and there’s always someone to talk to, because Crush is available on all social media platforms. Note: thank you, Ben Williamson. Anyway. Set yourself up with a good support system before you overhaul your life, it will save you in the end.

3.       Plan Out Your Training.

An effective training plan is just that; PLANNED. They are step by step, consistent, and build on each day you train. Every day of training is meant to fit in with the others to work together to help you achieve your progress; when I first started weight lifting, I had no plan and no idea what I was doing. I would go into the gym and do some arm exercises for 5x5, then next time some leg stuff for 3x10, but I had no idea how my repetition and set combinations were supposed to be structured to work together. It does matter. Different reps paired with a different amount of sets will lead you to a different end state, whether you are after building strength or changing your aesthetic. You also have to take into account what kind of split you are doing, for example, body part split (legs one day, arms another day, back, etc), a push and pull split, or a designated day for each compound lift (deadlifts, bench press, squat, etc). DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. And do a lot of it. Experiment with well-known programs that you think might fit your goals. I recommend looking at bodybuilding.com, t-nation.com, and also researching The Cube Method, 5/3/1, and Smolov. These resources should get you started on planning your training. If you are not comfortable planning your own training, you can always consult with a trusted friend or look around for a personal trainer.

4. Workout in Clothes that Make You Feel Great

This is a serious topic, and a simple one; when you think you look good, then you feel good. When you feel good about yourself, you are motivated. When you are motivated, you perform better. Plain and simple. There is no sillier distraction than being concerned with how you look while trying to lift. Recommendations: Lululemon. Lululemon is my favorite lifting gear. Very pricey, but I have never found leggings that are as great for lifting. No underwear lines, never see through. Worth every penny. Nike. My only issue with Nike is the leggings can be sheer when squatting or deadlifting. V3 Apparel. V3 Apparel has very cute tanks, shorts, and leggings for women. Check them out. BroScience. For your silliest lifting attire, check out some BroScience Gear...you won't regret it.

II hope that if you made it through this post, you have taken away a little piece of knowledge to help you on your way! Happy Thursday, enjoy the weekend!