Beginning your fitness journey can be one of the greatest favors you can do for yourself. You’re going to look and feel better. You’re taking control of your life and beginning good habits that could last a lifetime. Fitness isn’t simply about looking toned or athletic. It should be an overhaul of how you feel on the inside as well as out. Recent studies have shown that we can be incredibly fit without looking traditionally athletic! We should aim for a level of fitness that suits our own activity levels and body type. If you’re planning to embark on a fitness journey of your own, be sure to avoid these common pitfalls.
Ignoring Your Nutrition
Many of us begin our fitness journey by simply exercising more. We might join a gym or plan to regularly attend a class. We might start walking to work or join a sports team. However we choose to exercise, we’re not going to see results if our diet is poor. Whatever effort we put into our exercise, there needs to be a corresponding effort in nutrition. Don’t be tempted to think that nutrition means simply cutting calories or reducing intake. It is a long journey of careful assessment and can mean getting expert advice. You might actually find that you need to eat more! We might have to reduce our sugar and alcohol but vastly increase our fibre and protein, for example. We might have got into the habit of avoiding carbohydrates but find that we have to increase our intake of them to meet our body’s demands. Many people begin by seeking out vitamin supplements or the best protein powders for their needs. You can assess your diet by talking to a nutritionist, trainer, or reading up in your own time. But your diet is as important as your exercise when it comes to fitness.
Not Being Realistic
We all have that initial surge in motivation and enthusiasm. But we have to make sure our goals are easy to sustain. If we have never exercised regularly before, then aiming to attend classes five times a week can be unrealistic. If we have always eaten a diet rich in meat or fish, then going vegan without a slow transition can set us up for failure. It is important to be patient and realistic with our goals. It is far better to start slowly and work our way up as we get stronger and more experienced. Starting hard and finding that we cannot complete or sustain things is a very quick way to become discouraged. Set goals that are challenging but that we feel can be met. As you start to achieve things and stick to a routine, your confidence will grow. The feeling of accomplishment will be the drive and motivation you need to push a little harder the next time. Think in small steps as well as the bigger picture. You may want to achieve a certain level of fitness by the end of the year, for example, but set weekly goals too. Not only will they help keep you on track, but it will be easier and quicker to notice if you are off track too.
Comparing Yourself To Others
When you really think about it, fitness is about feeling better. If we find that our fitness journey is making us feel even worse about ourselves, it’s time for a major rethink. Are we paying too much attention to what others are doing or what they look like? Are we assessing ourselves in terms of what other people have done rather than what we’re capable of? Focus entirely on your own goals and achievements. You will stay positive and see results without feeling needlessly down.
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