Goals and Motivation

Fitness Goals to the Starting Line It’s here.   After years of procrastinating, and living the overindulging fantasies. We decided to finally take the plunge. After reaching my heaviest weight I have ever been (300 LBS), after mundane tasks started to become impossible, and after learning just how much being within the obese category can truly impact; I said enough is enough.    Of course it wasn’t linear the start was to say the least “rocky” and I still struggle day to day with keeping up routine. So how do you do it?   How do you take the leap, and maintain on a positive path to reaching your fitness goals? If your anything like me starting is usually the hardest part. But I think I cracked the code. Found a way to take that first step forward. All it took was a bit of change in perspective.  I always like to do everything in one go. Groceries? All the bags brought in with a single trip.  Shopping in general? I find the closest store that has all the things I am looking for. So it may come to no surprise that when I finally said enough is enough that I would start my fitness journey I went all in.  I calculated how many calories I was eating, swapped everything I have for “healthy” foods, signed up for a gym. Bought some calisthenics workout videos and I was all set right? Not really.  Doing everything was the wrong move for me.    I got overwhelmed quickly and within 3 days I gave up. It took another several months and some conversations with friends to realize that a lot of what we are trying to achieve in life can be made a bit easier with a small shift to the mind set.   I decided the easiest thing for me was to take things slow. One step at a time if you will.    The starting point for me was making a verbal commitment and understanding why I even wanted to loose weight to begin with. Then game the hardest part finding a place to actually exercise.    Some people are ok with at home workout, or have  local park. Others (like myself) want something a bit more traditional, the gym. After signing up I made one more small committment that I would go 3 times a week. I would work out different muscle groups and only due 3 exercises for each group.  Totally doable at least it was for me in my brain.    Then I did the thing. I showed up did 3 exercises (each one I did a certain number of reps and sets). I then went home.    I followed through on the small commitment and am currently on week 8!   So how can you do it?   Find your motivation and start with just 1 small commitment . Maybe your commitment looks like eating 1 less snack, going for a short walk after work/school, buying some cost effective dumbbells and workout equipment, or signing up for a gym or exercise class.  Along with your driving factor whether it be to look or feel better, plan for upcoming and future events, or just wanting to feel better and live a healthier lifestyle.   Whatever it may be make sure it’s a small realistic first step with a strong motivating factor.   Once you feel confident that it’s built into your new routine make 1 more small commitment.    Each small commitment added will start to build and shift into new habits that will get you on the right path to reaching your fitness goals.    It may be a bit rough at first (this is why 1 small realistic commitement is where I suggest starting) however after a few weeks of making small changes to add in or to your current fitness routine, you’ll start noticing you have a bit more energy. A few more weeks clothes start to feel a bit better maybe even loosen.     The concept is simple but execution is always difficult, so if adding in 1 small fitness routine change seems overwhelming your not alone.    I told myself plenty of times, I’m to busy, I’m to tired, I have other obligations, I feel to big to work out. I needed to make 1 small commitment change along with the motivation to make the change. For me my first step was to make the commitment that I would treat myself better, so that I can be healthier.   Your situation, goals, motivation and mindset may be in a completely different place so choose what’s right for you. Take the first step into reaching your fitness goals, and let’s crush it!