If you’re starting a fitness journey, you’ve got this!
Now, how do I know? I recently celebrated four years of working out every day. How did I get to this point on my fitness journey? Why did I not take a break from my exercise routine in the past four years?
I have very poor circulation, and I’m cold all the time. Unfortunately, I did very little to improve this problem. Several people told me,“You need to move around,” but I never did.
My dad would come home from work and ask me the same question every day, like clockwork, “Larissa, did you work out today?” My answer was almost always the same: “No.”
The next day, I would work out for two or three days in a row, not because I wanted to, but because I had to please my dad. I honestly hated working out. I did it to shut my parents up for a little bit until they got on my case. This became a whole, long cycle.
It lasted for years.
My relationship with working out changed in June 2014. I was sitting there doing who the hell knows what, and as usual, I was cold. I said to myself, “I am tired of being cold all the time.” I texted my best friend saying, “I am going to work out today and hope I can keep it up.” His reply was, “You got this!”
Now, when he said this, something clicked with me that didn’t when my parents were on me all the time about working out. I did “have this,” and for the first time in my life, I wanted to work out for me and for no one else. That was a big deal for me.
That is how this all started.
I have heard all throughout this journey, “You know, you can take a day or holiday off, right?”
Yes, I know I can, and it would probably be a good idea to give my body a day of rest every now and then.
For me, though, moving around and being mobile is important. If I don’t move, I’ll lose my mobility. If I were to stop working out for a day, I could see myself getting used to not working out and getting back into my old habits of just sitting there and being cold all the time. I didn’t want to go backwards; I wanted to keep moving forward. This is why I have decided to not take a day off in 4 years.
I know working out every day is extreme, but it works for me.
You must find what works for you and do what feels right in your fitness journey. It will take some time to get into a routine, but don’t rush it. Take your time and find something you like to do.
When I was starting out, I did Just Dance for the Wii. Then, I progressed to other dance games and workouts because that is what I found enjoyable. I loved doing these routines, and I still do.
Another thing that is important in the beginning of your fitness journey is finding your support system.
They can help hold you accountable. Your support system should have people who will be honest with you, tell you the truth, and give you pep talks when you need them. With that said, it’s not just your support system’s responsibility to motivate you. It’s your responsibility to motivate yourself.
My support system started with 3 people. Now I’m down to two because as much as the third person’s intentions were nice, I would give them my progress and they would reply the same way every time. They’d say what they thought I needed to hear,not what I wanted to hear or should have heard. Your support system should consist of honest, loving people who aren’t scared to tell you the truth when you need it. At the end of the day, your support system will be the ones who help you when you need it most, and they will be there to celebrate your victories, no matter how big or small they may be.
I have no idea where I’d be health-wise if I hadn’t started this fitness journey 4 years ago. I’m glad I will never find out. This journey has been long and tiring, but it’s been so rewarding because I’m taking care of myself and working out for me and only me. This is my journey and no one else’s.
If you want to start a fitness journey, you have to work out for yourself… and no one else.
It may take some time to get where you want to be, but once you realize you must start exercising for you and no one else, you find something you love to do, and you have your support system in place, your journey is up to you. Once you get started, your life will never be the same because your fitness journey will change your life.
Photo by Seth Macey on Unsplash
