How to Get Started With Exercising | 5 Steps to Consistency
Before you can make a lasting change, you need to start!
But getting started, when it comes to consistent exercise, can be extremely overwhelming.
Just Google “how to get started exercising” and you get over a BILLION (that’s billion, with a B) hits!
So I wanted to break down the five simple steps that I believe will get you, or anyone, started on a consistent exercise routine.
Step One:
Assess Your Current Fitness Level
Before you begin any exercise routine, you should get medical clearance by your doctor.
Once you’re in the clear, you need to assess where you currently stand in terms of your fitness.
This can mean several different things, such as how often you currently exercise, how often to sit throughout the day, what kind of general aches & discomforts you feel on a daily basis.
Once you have your current fitness level, you can decide on how you want to feel in the future (i.e. your goals!).
Step Two
Design or Create a Program
This is where personal trainers & fitness coaches come into play.
Having a personal trainer is like using a GPS.
An experienced personal trainer is going to get you from Point A (where you currently are) to Point B (your goals) in the fastest, safest way possible, just like a GPS.
A personal trainer is an investment, but they pay for themselves in all the time, money (by not letting you waste your money on gimmicks & fad diet pills), & frustrations that you save from not having a trainer guide you through your journey.
Plus, most gyms have a free introduction with a trainer when you first join, so make sure you look out for that opportunity!
I’ve even seen gyms offer discounted rates on their training sessions once you complete their intro offer!
But whether or not you use a trainer is up to you.
If you choose not to hire a trainer, you want to make sure you create a well balanced program for yourself!
No matter what your goals are, your program should include both a warm-up & cool down component, a mobility & flexibility component, and some version of resistance training.
Your program should also be structure to get you to your goals, should progress (get harder) as you get stronger over time, and should be easily built into your daily routine!
Step Three
Start Slowly
You have to start small and start slow.
It’s tempting to want to go all out, but often times, that leads to disappointed and abandoning you goal(s) altogether.
Start with one goal.
Work to establish that has a routine, then build on it.
An example would be, if you want to work out 4 days a week, start with 1 or 2 days.
Get that down, hit that goal for a couple weeks in a row, then add in the third day.
Yes, it’s going to take patience, but patience is critical to establishing lasting habits.
Step Four
Listen to Your Body
If something doesn’t feel right, stop, or tell whomever you’re working with & he/she should tell you to stop.
Exercising is going to be comfortable at times, and that’s okay.
What isn’t okay is feeling pain as you exercise.
Pain is never okay & you should NOT push through it.
You should stop, rest, & check in with a medical professional if the pain persists.
On the flip side, if you feel as if you’re not getting anything out of your workouts and/or haven’t seen progress in more than 6 weeks, change your routine.
That could simply mean increasing the resistance you’re using, increasing the number of days you’re active, or adding in a new form of exercise!
Again, a knowledgeable trainer should be aware of this, but only if you communicate that to him/her - to have a successful relationship with your trainer (or anyone!) communication is key!
Step Five
Give Yourself Grace
Creating lasting change is about consistency, not perfection.
You won’t be perfect.
There will be days when you just don’t feel like working out.
There will be days when your meeting went late & cut into your work out time.
That’s life!
Life is all about rolling with the punches, and the same philosophy applies here!
Don’t throw it all away because of something you can’t control.
Every day is a new day.
A new day to start fresh!
There you have it, 5 steps to help you get started!
(1) Assess you current fitness level, (2) design a program, (3) start slowly, (4) listen to your body, & (5) give yourself grace!
If you’re ready to get started with your own fitness routine, apply the 5 steps above & watch what happens!
& if you liked this post, please show your support by sharing with a friend!
Who knows, maybe you two will become each other accountability buddies on your journeys!
Chat soon!