You’ve decided to make some changes but you don’t know where to start, how to start, or what to do. Here are a few tips that will get you moving and give you a good foundation to build off and keep you going for a long, long, time.
My name is Bronson, I’ve been a fitness professional for many years. As a coach, personal trainer, and a former gym owner, I’ve seen thousands of people go through the process of changing their lives to include a fitness routine. Some people succeed, others have limited success, and sadly many people don’t stick with it for very long and never see the benefit.
Here are my tips for getting started and maintaining a life-long fitness routine.
TIP 1: IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT
You’ve heard it before but did you pay attention? If the goal is to be healthy, stay active, and maintain a high quality of life until you die, then be patient. It took you years to get out of shape and unhealthy. It’s going to take some time to get your health and fitness back.
Even if you’re 65 years old and you’re just getting started, you’ve got 15, 20, 25 years to work on yourself. Be patient.
One of the biggest challenges we have today is dealing with short-term gratification. Everything needs to be easy and quick. That’s not how this process works.
The process of change fluctuates between overnight life-altering adjustments to slow, almost imperceptible changes. You have to be aware of this going in. Every day isn’t going to be amazing. That’s where the next tip comes in real handy.
TIP 2: CELEBRATE EVERY SUCCESS
Embrace the small wins and you will keep the journey alive. Of course, this assumes you’re setting goals along the way and keeping track of how you’re doing.
Your progress can only be verified and celebrated by how far you’ve moved towards your goal. If you lose 1% body fat or learn a new exercise how does that move you forward and is that a good thing? If it is, you can celebrate it.
Celebrating the little things along the way reminds you that the process is working and that you can and are making a difference in your life.
Celebrate positive health improvements, body changes, strength accomplishments, developing new habits, compliments from friends and family, and anything else that makes you feel good about yourself and what you’re doing to improve.
TIP 3: GET HELP
Acknowledge that you have no idea what you’re doing and get help.
Find a Personal Trainer, join a gym that has coaches who can help you, subscribe to an online fitness program, or get an online trainer or coach.
You need consistent guidance and feedback from someone who knows how to get you where you want to be.
Improving your fitness and health is not DIY for most people. It’s complicated and challenging trying to figure it out for yourself. There’s so much information and you do not have the knowledge to filter and apply what will work for you.
You will save time, money, setbacks, frustration, and most likely an injury or two by paying someone as soon as possible to help you get started. It is well worth the investment in your health. Long-term it will still be less than what you’d pay the medical industry if you stayed unhealthy and just got worse as you got older.
TIP 4: BUILD HABITS
Most people last longer and see more success by changing one or two things at a time. It’s unrealistic to think you can make a massive shift and disruption to your lifestyle overnight.
Start small with something you can maintain until it becomes a natural occurrence. There are a couple of things you need to be aware of.
There are probably things you’re doing that are directly impacting your ability to improve. Sometimes stopping a habit is as important as starting one.
There will be something that you absolutely do not want to change. Doing that thing will be the biggest success on your journey.
Don’t go from doing nothing to hitting the gym 5 days a week, and completely altering your food choices. Start simple.
Maybe go for a walk 3x week, or do 2 classes at the gym until you feel more comfortable and ready for more. Maybe, stop adding cream and sugar to your coffee, or don’t drink soda anymore.
Baby steps. Think about it. 1-year-olds aren’t running. It’s a process for them to learn and grow into. Right now, you are a 1-year-old in fitness and nutrition. Stop trying to run.
TIP 5: FIND A TRIBE
This is so important. As humans, we thrive on and need communal support. In order to stay sane, be reminded that you’re on the right track, and that success is possible, you need to find other people who are on the same journey.
You will feed off their experiences and they will feed off yours. You will help keep each other moving forward.
There are a few ways you can do this.
- You can join a gym that has a group fitness program. They usually have very tight communities that are very supportive.
- You can subscribe to an online program that has a group forum where subscribers can share and communicate with each other.
- You can join online forums that fit your personality or goals or choice of fitness method. There are thousands of FB groups, like the Keto Chow Facebook Group, Reddit groups, etc. where you can interact with other people who have the same challenges, questions, fears, and successes as you.
In Conclusion
These are five things I recommend you take a really hard look at and figure out what you need to do mentally to prepare for.
You have control. Be deliberate and consistent. Follow the process and it will take you where you want to go. No shortcuts. They never work and often make things worse.
BRONSON DANT
Creator of the APEX Training System
At almost 50 years old, Bronson has several years of experience in health and fitness. As a Physical Fitness and US Army Combatives instructor and as the owner of a health and fitness studio, he has spent many years helping people improve their health and physical performance. Check out his YouTube channel.
