Well, so do I.
No matter where you are in your journey, you have to start somewhere.
Due to last year’s parade of fail in my fitness journey, I have several tip that will help you to successfully get on your way.
1. Consult with your physician, and comply with their advice. I simply cannot stress this enough. Aside from your practitioner being able to assess your general health, you should also inform them of current or old nagging injuries that could be a hindrance to your progress. They will then be able to recommend which activities and practices that you can safely take part in.
Last year, when I’d originally embarked on my quest, I knew right off the bat that I had problems with my knees. The day before I’d begun going to the gym, I had a row with someone, and while slamming him (!!!) I hit my knee on the way down. Instead of consulting with my doctor immediately, I threw on a brace and hit the gym with vigor, only to have it never fully recover . Now here I am a year later, back to my starting weight, and my orthopaedist waving the dreaded “S” word in front of me. You don’t want that, do ya?
2. Start slow. Yeah, I know you wanna go in and go hard, but pace yourself. Build yourself up to that. Burnout is real and can derail you something serious.
3. Be realistic. This goes hand in and with going slow. If you’re trying to look like Serena Williams and your starting point is the character Precious, know that you’re not gonna make that leap within six months. Be optimistic and set goals, but don’t set yourself up to be overly anxious about results. As a sidenote, 2 pounds a week is on the high-end of a safe weight loss goal.
4. Get the right shoes. I know, I know. You’re saying to yourself; “Oh I’m just starting out slow, I’m just walking! I don’t need fancy shoes for that!” While that’s true, please know that old, rundown or simply the wrong kind of athletic shoes can throw off your posture and form, which can lead to injuries and stress on your joints. The right shoes don’t have to cost a fortune, either. Get fitted at a running store or other by an otherwise trained professional. This is probably a good opportunity to ask about orthotics/inserts, as well. From there, you can bargain shop for the items you need. Every two to three months, this is a practice that needs to be revisited as your shoes wear down and your body changes.
5. Have fun. There are a wealth of fitness activities and foods out there for you to explore. Find the right combination of things that appeal to you, because if you’re bored, you won’t be motivated to do anything.
That’s all for now. Next up, I’ll share some things that have been helpful to me that you might want to use. Until then!
