by Jose Leon
For any gym rat or nutrition enthusiast today, most of us weren’t simply born that way. Many of us, in fact, are at the point where we want to get there but don’t know how.
This article outlines a step-by-step stress-free guide to getting ourselves into health and nutrition through ways that are actually doable and accessible.
1. Educate Yourself
The first thing you must do is educate yourself. There are many different aspects to getting fit, various types of workouts—you have to be able to understand what we mean when we throw around gym rat jargon like “HIIT”, “strength training”, etc.
For example, there are a lot of misconceptions that connect weight to health. Many people are aware, now, that just because you are 5’1” and 90 pounds—doesn’t mean you’re healthier than being 5’1” and 130 pounds. 130 pounds of muscle is better than 90 pounds of junk food or misbalanced diet.
When you have a better understanding of the different types of activities, diet, and nutrition are involved in getting fit, you will be able to set better goals and have better results.
2. Set A Goal
Okay; now that you are a technical expert in all things gym and wellness, it’s time to set yourself a goal.
Why is it important to set a goal? Without knowing where you’re going, how will you get there?
Depending on you and your body type, there will be something specific to improve on. It’s important that you set an achievable, realistic goal for yourself to work towards.
You guessed it—we’re talking about SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound). If your goal is weight loss, you might say:
“I want to lose 30 pounds in the next two months.”
If you’ve done your research, you might have a more technical goal such as:
“I want to decrease my body fat percentage down to 18% in the next six months.”
If you’re not sure where to start, it’s a good idea to talk to your dietitian or someone you trust that is knowledgeable in these areas. If you’re thinking about joining a gym, some offer a complementary consulting or personal training session at the start, which can also help you outline some potential goals for you to work towards.
3. Set Time Aside To Commit
It is crucial for you to set aside time in your schedule to commit to working out and getting fit. You have to think of this almost as a part-time job—except it only goes for 1-2 hours a week.
If you don’t have a scheduled time set aside, you will often find yourself skipping out on sessions and prioritizing work, friends, etc., over your health.
If you actually want to see results, it is important that you stay consistent in your routine.
4. Find Inspiration
Try to get yourself really in the mindset of being a health and wellness enthusiast. If you use social media, there are TONS of sources of inspiration on there—mainly on Instagram, where enthusiasts and professionals document their fitness journeys.
It helps to have a visual and figurative object to aspire to—so whether you want to have “abs like his”, or be able to feel like you truly deserve to rock those Nike Pro shorts—find whatever pushes you and motivates you.
You don’t necessarily have to follow a fitness figure or professional. If workout clothing is the one thing that motivates you to work out—then follow those accounts! It may seem silly, but it makes a difference in the long run in your headspace.
5. Utilize Friends In Your Network
Search your network for friends who are fitness oriented; they will serve as one of your greatest resources. Here’s why:
- They will hold you accountable. On days where you don’t feel like showing up to the gym, they’ll make sure you’re there.
- If you’re a beginner and don’t know what you’re doing, experienced friends will be able to show you the ropes and boost your confidence.
- If you find it hard to balance your fitness and your social life, why not combine the two? You kill two birds with one stone by staying active while still making time to hang out with your friends.
The benefits are endless; a gym buddy is invaluable. Chances are, it’ll be a friend in your network that gives you the initial push to become healthy and active; make sure you keep them by your side and live the journey with them.
6. Establish Your Venue, And Execute
Figure out where and how you’re going to work out. Obviously, a gym is the first thing that comes to mind. However, first-timers often find it uncomfortable at the gym because they are self-conscious and lack confidence. All the equipment and gym rats become overwhelming and intimidating. Not to mention, signing up for a gym can be expensive.
Don’t let this be an excuse not to try and achieve your fitness goals; you don’t need a gym to be healthy! You can train just as effectively at home, using strength training and body weight. As you get more committed, you can collect whatever equipment you need, or join a gym later on if that is too daunting at the start.
Some people don’t like keeping in one place all the time; so if you need to dedicate some days to working out at home, some days at the gym, and some days doing outdoor workouts—go for that.
The important thing is, whatever you choose—commit, commit, commit.
(Jose Leon is a Reiki Master Teacher and Registered Massage Therapist based in Vancouver, BC. He has over 16 years of experience as an educator and practitioner of energy healing and healthy lifestyle living. Jose currently runs Reiki sessions and classes at his own practice, which you can learn more about on his website: http://joseleon-reiki-rmt.com)
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