“Strength does not come from the physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

Greater words have never been spoken. No, I don’t mean to sound like a fortune cookie but this quote is the literal mood for this mood. Starting a fitness journey isn’t something that I thought I could ever do I my life. Heck, I was Slender – Yes I used the word WAS, I am a good swimmer, I was captain of the basketball team all through high school and am never breathless after running a flight of stairs. Well, I had a brutal check with reality about 6 months ago where I gained the most weight in my adult life. I have shared my story on Dealing with weight gain before.

Fast forwarding to today where I actually run my 1st Half Marathon in 2 hours 28 mins with a 6.5 pace I can definitely say I know a thing or two about How to Start A fitness Journey. Thanks to Popular demand and my experience, I will share with you my 10 proven tips on How to Start A fitness Journey I will group then into Before and after the journey. Without further a due, Ladies & Gents

How to Start A fitness Journey

Before:

1. Define your Why?

Just like anything you are working on long-term you need to know your WHYs, this is what will guide you throughout your journey and motivate you on days where you feel like quitting. Trust me, there will be plenty of those days and not just once. Each individual has their own set of Whys and what they want to accomplish because no individual is the same. Even with the same WHYs, the work through it is quite different. A few whys could include:

• Losing weight.
• A healthy lifestyle
• Building muscles – ABs, Butt or Thighs

2. Have a goal.

Just like in anything a goal is everything. After finding out your Why, the goal needs to back it up. I have spoken in length about SMART goal setting in the Making of a Vision Board that works, so if you need more motivation see the post. However, in Summary, make sure the goal you are setting meets the following criteria.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic.
• Time Bound

Eg: Wanting to lose 5KGs in 3 Months.

:  Wanting to Run the Half Marathon in November

: Cutting Junk & Eating Healthy or drinking 5 glasses of water a day.

3. Find out what you Love

In order for you to enjoy your fitness journey, you will have to find something that you utterly enjoy. Fitness should not feel like a chore otherwise you will end up resenting it in no time. There a lot of choices to choose from just to mention but a few.

• Running  – Obviously
• Swimming
• Hiking
• walking
• Cycling
• Gym

AFTER

4. Start Small

Rome was never built in a day and neither shouldn’t your body. A mistake a lot of beginners fall into this pit by wanting the change a little too quickly – Guilty!  as a result, you burn out or worse hurt yourself and end up resenting yourself. If you want to run, start by walking then run a few meters and build from there. Allow your body to adjust at its own pace.

5. Create a Functioning Routine & be Accountable

This is what revolutionized my fitness journey and allowed me to stay consistent. I used to find myself quitting after a few days. The magic key was having a Functioning routine, this is the one where it is adjustable no matter the situation at hand. This way you are able to have a life and enjoy your fitness.

Remember to have rest days, because your body needs to rebuild, I would say 3 days is a good start but if you can do 7 well, to each their own and I low-key envy you.

6. Watch what you Eat & Drink.

Working out is part of the process but what you eat and drink consist of more than 70 percent of your body. Eating trash and working out is a waste of time and energy. So start small, introduce and swap junks for a more healthy option. Drink lots of water and most importantly get some sleep for the love of God.

7. Challenge yourself.

Your body can handle anything, it is your mind that needs convincing. Try to push yourself with your fitness goals. You will be surprised by how much you can accomplish if you put your mind into it. The challenges don’t have to be grand, it’s the extra step, the extra glass of water, the consistent and so on and so forth.

8. Review & Adjust your Goals.

After a few rounds of consistent workout out or healthy eating. Review and adjust your goals. If your goal was to run the 5KMs race now adjust it to a 10Kms if you were to lose X Kgs now adjust it to an XYZ Kgs. On the other hand, if you are not able to achieve your targeted goals, review and adjust the method or approach you have been using. This way your Fitness Journey stays interesting.

9. Reward Yourself.

Life is not that serious and no a piece of chocolate won’t kill you. I have a strict healthy eating plan but every so often I enjoy a delicious piece of pizza because I earned it. When you achieve a goal you are allowed to spoil yourself. Psychologically this will make you work harder on your goals so as to achieve another reward.

10. Have Fun

For you to enjoy your fitness journey, find ways to have fun. It could be joining challenges, sharing your workouts, taking amazing flat lay images of your vegan meal or doing it with a friend or partner. Anything as long as you are having fun. If it begins to feel like a chore, the my you are doing something wrong.

There you have it my 2 cents on How to Start A fitness Journey – 10 Beginner Tips that works and is backed up by personal experience. What are your thoughts on this post, are you a beginner trying to start a fitness journey? Let’s have a conversation in the comment section. Till next time!