Getting fit is something that will almost invariably make you feel better about yourself. A healthy body feels like a well-oiled machine, and there’s very little that feels as great as running up a flight of stairs and barely feeling out of breath when you reach the top. But many people, fitness feels like a far-away existence and sadly beat themselves up in the interim. Here are some tips to make sure that you stay mentally happy and healthy as you embark on your fitness journey.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
First of all, if you’ve decided to hit the gym or a fitness class, try your best not to pay any attention to other people. Everyone is different and everyone’s bodies work in different ways. That’s one of the joys and beauties of being human. But if you’ve never been particularly in shape, and you’re finding it a little difficult to get started, then it can be intimidating to look around at a bunch of people at the gym who’ve been using machines and lifting weights for years. Keep reminding yourself that they’re not what you should focus on – they’re focused on their own fitness, so you should be too. Don’t be self-conscious – chances are, they were once in the exact same position as you. And on the flip side. If you can’t turn your interest in other people off, use their success as motivation. Know that with consistency and effort, you will eventually be the “fit guy” or “fit girl” in the gym newbies are admiring.
Take Care Of Your Body
It’s important that you take care of your body. Learn the Exact Formula for Weight Loss which teaches you how to eat the right amounts of the right foods for the size you’d like to be. Don’t push yourself harder than you feel comfortable with. If you get any injuries, it’s important to speak to a doctor or a physiotherapist, who can advise you about any treatments like a shoulder ice wrap or maybe stretches/massage techniques to ease discomfort. Don’t injure yourself further by trying to work through the unproductive pain – listen to your body telling you to slow down.
Write Down the Good Stuff
Sometimes the evil voices in our head just speak more loudly. Work to ignore them completely, but also make an effort to document the good stuff. Write down when and what you did for exercise, yummy healthy recipes you’ve tried, new accomplishment like climbing stairs without suffocating, the appearance of new muscles, the disappearance of old bulges! If you receive compliments … track those too! All of that will help you keep your head on straight when that jerk on your shoulder starts blabbing.
Remember: Everything In Moderation
Finally, remember that moderation is key to success. If you go to the gym every day and start yourself on an extreme diet, there’s no way you’ll be able to keep it up. Instead, make lifestyle changes that you can stick to, like switching from white bread to whole grain, making your own food from scratch instead of buying convenience food and fast food, and making sure that you exercise most days of the week. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or if you eat a few squares of chocolate too many – fitness should be part of your life, and something that enables you to live more happily, rather than something that prohibits you from doing other things that you enjoy.
Image source
