18 May How do I start working out?
How do I start working out?
We have ALL been there at one time or another (myself included) and maybe you are there right now. We want to be fit, we want to be healthy, and we WANT to feel comfortable in our own skin.
We WANT to be that person that jumps out of bed each day motivated, energetic and ready to workout! We WANT to know what to do when we workout and most importantly, we want our workout efforts to show up on our bodies. 🙂
But where do we START and HOW do we motivate ourselves?
I get this question a lot.
It can feel so overwhelming wanting to change our bodies and our lives, but not knowing where to start.
Sometimes the more we research, look around, follow what others are doing and view tons of examples of WHAT to do, the more it becomes information overload and it paralyzes us. We get confused, frustrated and then we give up before we start.
Is this you?
It HAS been me before and this is how I changed my approach. These are the 5 things to do.
Number ONE: DECIDE
Mindset is so much of the equation when looking to change your body.
You have to DECIDE this time you will do this. You have to DECIDE that it is possible, DECIDE that it is time and DECIDE that you will continue to see this change through. DECIDE that you can become your best you and start believing that it is possible.
Maybe you are rolling your eyes right now at me, but I am telling you this is such a critical first step! You HAVE to get in the right mindset before you start anything else.
Number TWO: COMMIT
Commit to the process.
Write down your intentions. Tell someone about them and actually take out your calendar and mark down the days and times you will do things required.
For example – take the time to mark your calendar when you will go to the store and do your grocery shopping for the week.
That is just the beginning. When will you prepare your meals so they are readily available? When will you walk? Workout?
Whether it is 5 minutes or 10 minutes or 30 minutes or an hour – don’t beat yourself over the amount of time – just find the time for the amount you can do.
Just 10 minutes a day is 3,650 minutes a YEAR. I mean SERIOUSLY – that is over 60 hours. You can accomplish a LOT and make a pretty nice change in 60 hours!
Number THREE: Just START!
I know that sounds TOO simple, but it is the BEST advice I can give you. You have to just START!
Think of it as learning to walk. Let’s look at babies as a great example of this. They pull on the floor, they crawl, then they pull themselves up and then they walk holding on, then they just go! Even though they wobble – it takes quite some time until it is effortless.
Just START.
Don’t compare yourself to others, compare yourself to YOUR yesterday. Progress a little more each day.
On my youtube channel I have TONS of “how to do _____” videos. Go through those videos, and enjoy the learning process. Be patient with yourself, it isn’t a race.
As far as the losing the extra weight goes, if you start applying these basic good habits, you will start seeing results over time. If you want to speed things up a bit, or ‘jump start’ things a bit, then PLEASE take a look at my 7 day jump start program. Not only will get your weight loss going the healthy way, it will give you the confidence and a plan to get a mindset for SUCCESS…in anything you set your mind to!
Number FOUR: Think addition not subtraction
The deprivation mindset is very difficult to stick with over time.
When we are told or feel that we “can’t have things” that is very hard to stick to and we feel like a failure if we DO have those things.
Instead, I ask that you try something different – think ADDITION. Think about what you can ADD throughout EVERY day, of things that are GOOD for you and help you move towards your goal.
Take the idea of deprivation and subtraction out of your mind and instead think about what you can ADD. The more you add the GOOD STUFF the less room for the BAD STUFF and THAT is a positive situation.
Are you at a loss for what good things to add? Here are some to consider adding:
- More water
- More fruits and vegetables
- More unprocessed WHOLE foods
- Move MORE
- Walk MORE (park further, walk while chatting on the phone)
- STAND more (Stand while working, stand at your kids sporting events)
Number FIVE – Stop Information Overload
If you want help with your nutrition or your workouts pick one or two sources, not 100. Pick one or two that you like and relate to and then follow THEIR programs or videos or plans.
Information overload is not only distracting and confusing, but it can hurt results.
For example, if you love your trainer and they are telling you one thing is good/bad and then you follow someone else and they disagree with your trainers’ knowledge, it can be rather frustrating and derail you from obtaining the results you want. There are MANY ways to eat and train, not just one way.
There are research and testimonials supporting all kinds of methods. It is not about the “only right way” or the “newest plan”, it is about finding something that relates and works with YOU and YOUR lifestyle.
- Just Start
- Think Addition
- Decide
- Commit
- Pick your source
