January brings its own challenges. Besides being one long Monday, the month surrounds us with a constant stream of messages about self improvement. The biggest focus of the messaging is primarily focused on physical fitness and/or weight loss.
Now I don’t make resolutions. I make promises to myself and they are always the same: Eat well, move lots, hug often, laugh myself silly, do good work, find the sunny spot, be the light. It works for me. The trick is to find what works for you
If you are just starting a fitness journey, yay. As John Bingham famously said, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” It can be daunting to walk in through the gym door, or to sign up for an Aqua fit class, but you did it!
My advice if you are new to training or adding daily movement after a period of inactivity is keep it simple. Focus on small achievable goals. Maybe you start with one day a week, one walk instead of a drive, one new activity at a time. Maybe you dance at home for ten minutes after lunch, or you practice a single yoga pose. The key is to build a habit around fitness.
My goal the first time I went to the gym to meet my trainer was to not fall over from exhaustion. My second goal was to keep going for the full ten sessions I paid for in advance.
If you are a long time member of a gym, be kind to newbies in the gym. I remember seeing the side eyes some longtime gym members gave newbies. You were new too once upon a time. Patience, kindness and support are always welcome.
What helped you the most when you started your fitness journey? What advice would you give someone just starting out? What would you like to hear?
MarthaFitat55 intends to keep moving for as long as possible.