There are a lot of reasons why getting back on track with a fitness routine might not be a top priority for you right now. With a lot of uncertainty and stress due to COVID-19, the reasons are valid. But there are also two major reasons why a fitness routine still be a priority: your physical health and mental health.
A fitness routine means something different to everyone. There’s yoga, pilates, swimming, weight lifting, cycling, or even walks around the block. Fitness is essentially some form of activity that improves your physical health and overall well-being.
Fitness goes hand in hand with your mental health. It can help boost your mood, improve your sleep, reduce stress levels, and transform how you feel about yourself. This is so important to your overall well-being, which is why it’s important to get back on track with a fitness routine right now. Like right this minute.
To help you out, I’m sharing 6 steps that helped me get back into a fitness routine after the loss of my brother. Following these kept me sane and in check when I wanted to quit. I promise it pays off!
1.) Define and write down your goals
Before you truly begin your fitness, you have to know what you’re aiming towards. Do you want to feel better? Live a healthier life? Tone up? Lose weight? Gain weight? Stay the same but be more active? Socialize while working out in a studio class? Understand your goals. Write it down and turn this into your reality.
2.) Know your Why
This will go along with defining your goals. Let’s say you want to feel better, but why? Do you want to have a more positive outlook? Do something for yourself that aims to get you closer to the best version of you? WHY do you want this goal? Write this down right next to it. You’ll revisit this regularly.
For me, my why was to push myself now because now is all I’ve got. Show up every day and make choices that make me feel good. There is not better time than right now to work on myself.
3.) Find or create a program to follow
The Tone and Sculpt App is really what changed the game for me. Having a plan to follow just makes me feel organized and at ease without having to think about it. I recommend you find a program, studio, or someone you can learn from when creating a routine. You can also create your own program. Decide on something you are excited about and looking forward to committing to. You can always change it down the line!
4.) Plan out actionable steps or smaller goals to get to those big ones
It helps to plan out small goals even if you’re following a program. Back to the example of you wanting to feel better. This is the overall goal of the fitness routine, but how can you work towards this in smaller actions? Think about working to get to 10 push-ups and then 20 and then 30 and so on. Or even walking for 20 minutes each day and then upping it to 30 minutes next week. Set smaller goals so that you can see progress throughout the journey. Another thing that helps is progress pictures!
5.) Find accountability buddies so you can start motivating
This can be friends at the gym, strangers on Instagram or in your program. Accountability buddies are usually people who are working towards similar goals or just those who want to see you reach your goals. These people will be there to support you, motivate you, and even challenge you. Surround yourself with people you can lean on when you feel like giving up and need a reminder from them to keep going.
6.) Start now, even if it’s small steps
As soon as your done with this post, it’s time to get started. If it’s 10:15pm you can use the notes in your phone to define your goals and know your “why.” If it’s 8:00am and you’re feeling motivated, go for walk and find a program. Get out there and get back on track with a fitness routine right now!
You might have some negative thoughts at the beginning. You might doubt it’s worth it at this point. Shift that mindset and start telling yourself the truth – you deserve this and you are worth it. Do something for you, make your physical health and mental health a priority.
Drop a comment below if you’re ready to get back on track – we can be accountability buddies!