START HERE – fitness

I think the number one question I get from my readers is, “HOW DO I START?” or “HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?” Although you can scroll back through my blog and read all about my fitness journey, I know that many of you are new readers to my blog! And even though I have workout programs, tips, tricks, and tutorials for how I’ve lost the weight, it’s become clear to me that I have many readers who have never worked out before. AND to them I say, WELCOME!! I wish I could consult and sit down with each and everyone of you. But this blog post will just have to do. Before I tell you the most simple tip I have to get YOU started on your fitness journey, I want to tell you a few things.

I want us all to take a big deep breath with each other. Ready. Set. BREATH!

Now, I want you to wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug. I know, it’s cheesy. BUT DO IT. Love yourself. Love who you are. We aren’t trying to change you, we are trying to IMPROVE you. Trying to find YOUR BEST SELF! Now, I want you to run to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and tell yourself how beautiful you are. Really look at yourself and say it until you believe it. This is so important. More than you even know. You have to love yourself and appreciate the body you have. A fitness journey is just as much mental as it is physical. If you are struggling with self-love right now, don’t you worry, it will improve as you continue on your journey. But only if you work on it. Do this self-love mirror exercise every day and I promise you will start to see the beauty in yourself.

One more thing, along the lines of self-love. I want to say something LOUD and CLEAR. NO ONE. and I mean NO ONE, is in competition with you. You are not racing anyone. You are not proving anything to anyone. The only competition you have, is with yourself. Focus on YOUR improvement. On YOUR journey. I want you to remember this quote and repeat it to yourself.

“I am in competition with NO ONE. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone. I am simply trying to be better than the person I was yesterday!”

Are you still with me? Are you ready to improve yourself? Because if you are…

I can promise you 2 things!

ONE

I know you can do it. I know you can figure it out. I know you can find strength in yourself. I know you can find happiness through working out. I know you can improve the beautiful person you are.

TWO

It really isn’t as complicated as it seems. I know, I am sure it seems daunting, but I promise you it’s not.

If I can do it, you can do it!

NOW LET’S GET STARTED!

You want to know where to start?

Here it is,

Take pictures of yourself. You don’t have to wear a bikini, you don’t have to be too revealing, but take a picture of you facing directly at the camera, directly away from the camera, and to the side with your arms lifted.

I promise promise promise you will want them in the future.

Then…

BUY A PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES!

I’m serious.

That’s it.

Save up some money. Invest in a GREAT pair of running shoes (like these BRAND NEW Asics ones that came out TODAY)

Really though, these are a great shoe to start with. Super comfortable with great support! And they are great for cross training too!

OR, go to a thrift store and buy some second hand!

AND once you have those shoes,

START WALKING

START RUNNING!

AND make sure you document every workout you do. Get yourself a notebook COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO YOUR JOURNEY!!

Yes, even walking is a workout, so document it!

I was thinking back to the VERY beginning of my fitness journey. Before CrossFit, before pilates, or yoga, or my gym membership.

What did I do?

I would run. NOT very far. But I didn’t know what else to do, and I didn’t feel fit enough to do anything else. Now, you don’t have to be fit to try other things. If you are overweight you can still go to CrossFit and they will cater the workouts for you. BUT, if you don’t have that extra money or time or if it feels too intimating…

GO BUY A PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES!!!