If you are embarking on a new fitness routine for the New Year, here are a few tips for you beginners (or for those who may be just a little out of shape). For many of us, the New Year means out with the old and in with the new. It’s time to put away the old habits that aren’t serving you well and develop some new ones that can help you improve your health. If following a regular fitness routine is a healthy habit you want to pursue, here are some fitness tips for beginners to get you started.
#1: Define Your WHY
This is among the most popular fitness tips for beginners, but that’s because it’s so vital to your success. Pursuing any health or fitness goal takes work and it won’t always be easy. Identifying why you’re choosing to make a change is what will help you do the work that needs to be done to make it happen. When the going gets tough and you want to quit – simply REMEMBER YOUR WHY.
#2: Be Flexible
No, we’re not talking about your physical flexibility here – that will come as you continue to exercise day in and day out, week after week, month after month. Instead, we’re talking about flexibility in your mind and your schedule. Building healthy habits takes time and it’s good if you don’t approach the process with an ‘all or nothing’ mindset.
Understand that pursuing your health and fitness goals won’t always go exactly as planned and you may need to make some adjustments along the way. For example, if you’re constantly being interrupted during your individual workout at home, it’s time to stop at your local gym for a group training session. You can turn off that phone and give yourself the “me” time you deserve!
#3: Prioritize Your Workouts
Once you’ve established a fitness routine you’d like to follow, consistency is key in order to build new healthy habits. That means making your workout a priority. If you have other things planned for the day, make time for your fitness program at the beginning of the day. That way, you won’t find yourself blowing it off because you’re too tired later. Or, if you prefer to work out after work to get out the wiggles, get into the habit of ending all scheduled meetings by 4:00 pm to give yourself time to get to the gym. Your coworkers will quickly learn your schedule and adapt.
#4: Eat a Healthy Diet
Starting a workout routine is a great way to get fit and help your body make healthy changes but we all know the adage that, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” Without a healthy diet to go along with your workouts, you could be waiting longer for results. A nutrition coach can help you achieve the physical results you’re looking for by creating a sustainable nutrition plan that coincides with your health and fitness goals.
#5: Choose a Fitness Program You Like
This is perhaps one of the most important fitness tips for beginners – get yourself into a fitness program you love. If you don’t like what you’re doing for exercise, you aren’t likely to stay with it long enough to create a lasting habit. There are so many different fitness programs available that there’s sure to be something to fit everyone’s taste. Explore your options and pick the one that you like the best or choose several for added variety.
#6: Stay Active on the Weekends
It’s okay to take days off from your regularly scheduled fitness routine. In fact, recovery days are absolutely essential for achieving the results you desire. That doesn’t mean you have to stay on the couch during those days. Instead, do something fun, like taking a hike or kayak trip with the whole family. Finding ways to include activity in your daily life is what healthy, active living is all about!
#7: Utilize a Support System
When the going gets tough, it’s helpful to have other people around who can encourage you to keep on going. That might be a friend who has your back, a personal trainer who’s developed a personalized fitness program for you, or even the members of a group fitness class. When you have an established support system, you’ll have the accountability you need and motivation to keep on track.
Want More Fitness Tips For Beginners?
At No Limit Personal Training, we work with a variety of individuals, all in different stages of their health and fitness journey. Whether you’re new to exercising or a veteran gym goer, we have fitness programs and training options that will help you get in the best shape ever. Simply contact us today to explore your options and get started!
