I've been wanting to incorporate more fitness content onto my blog for a long time -- almost 2 years. I kept stopping myself because I'm not in the best shape of my life, I'm not a certified trainer, etc. etc. The list of reasons why I didn't just start was long. More on that topic in another post. I finally bit the bullet and started chatting fitness a few weeks ago. I started out with
this post where I talked about different fitness myths that I think we've all found ourselves believing at one point or another. The
next post I did including 3 outdoor workouts that don't include running. I wanted to share a realistic look at the workouts I've been doing and show that you don't need a gym or a ton of equipment to get a good sweat sesh in.
I had a personal trainer for 3 years, ate a strict meal plan, and have fallen off the wagon a time or two. The point is, no matter how many times I fall down, I always get back up. To be completely honest, I'm currently in the worst shape I've been in in the last 4 years. I have a million excuses why, but the reality is that it stopped being as big of a priority as it was before. I'm finally getting back on track which feels SO good. I want you to know we're in this together!
One of my oldest friends was asking me for some advice about working out a few days ago and said she was embarrassed to go to a class at her new gym because she knows she'll be struggling through it. This is what I had to say to her and what I have to say to anyone who is in a similar situation.
- You are far ahead of anyone who hasn't walked in the doors to the gym. If you've laced up your shoes and gotten yourself to the gym, you're halfway through the battle.
- Everyone is staring at themselves in the mirror and won't even notice you. When I first started going to boot camp classes I was so self conscious and felt like everyone in the room was staring at me. I went to a very small gym and over the course of the next year I got into pretty good shape. I was confident enough to be in the front of the class (which says a lot if you know me at all). I realized that no matter how in shape I was or where I was standing in the classroom, my main focus was always to not look like a total idiot. It was on my brain the entire time. It's only natural to feel self conscious especially when you're first starting out, but just know that no one will be judging you. If you got yourself into that classroom then you deserve nothing but respect from anyone else in there.
- I've mentioned this quote a million times and here we are again. "Comparison is the thief of joy." - Teddy Rosevelt. You can walk into any gym in this country and you're going to see some extremely fit people. If you walk in on the first day of signing up having never worked out before or being out of it for a while, you will set yourself up for failure if you compare yourself to anyone else in that gym. You are you. Be the best version of yourself that you can be today, and then try to get better for tomorrow.
- Another little life lesson I've mentioned a few times -- progress > perfection. Even the strongest, most fit people have off days. If you consistently make an effort to get better, you're on the right track. Start where you are and then build off of that. Just start.
- Have fun with it! I've tried SO many different workout styles from lifting weights, Crossfit, and running to yoga, spin, Zumba, and hip-hop dance. I love HIIT, lifting, boxing, and boot camps. I hate yoga and Zumba. My summer workouts have been a lot of HIIT and boxing because fitness should be fun. It's way harder to stay motivated and want to do it if you hate what you're doing. A lot of gyms have the first class free or at a discounted rate so you can try it out. I highly suggest taking advantage of that and trying out as many different workout styles as it takes until you find the one that you truly enjoy.
I hope this post was helpful to you. Here's to you -- being the best version of yourself you can be today...and then being even better tomorrow!
xoxo,
Sarah
