It did not happen overnight, but I truly believe that if you stick at something for long enough and make it become a part of your daily routine, it will start to serve a purpose. This is my little guide to help you fall in love with fitness, and, how to incorporate it into your daily life. Whether that be a quick 5 minutes when you get up, or a sweaty session after work – there is always time to invest in yourself through movement.
For me, fitness provides an outlet for my stresses and anxieties in one hit. Whether that be a fifteen-minute walk, half-marathon or spin class, I know that 9/10 once I have completed the exercise, it would massively improve my mood.
I would like to note, however, if you are in recovery from a disordered relationship with food and/or exercise, please do not feel tempted to go against the advice of the professionals. If you are not well enough to exercise, please do not do so. It will only do your body much more harm in the long run. From taking nearly three years off from exercise, I can truly say that it has not affected the way I am now. If anything, I have never been stronger or healthier.
My journey with fitness never started from a particularly healthy place. I would exercise simply to burn calories and lose weight. Though it is ok if that is one of your reasons to start your fitness journey, it should never be your sole reason for exercising. There needs to be a reason bigger than your physical appearance if you truly want to create a sustainable relationship with exercise.
My real routine for exercise began in sixth form when I was revising for A-Levels. After not physically being well enough to exercise for many years due to being severely anorexic, the years when I was given the green light to do so, I chose to implement a routine. So, before school which began at 8:30 (early I know), I would wake up at 6:30 to have that half an hour before the working day solely committed to me. From then on, I felt more awake and able to handle the day much better had I not used the time on me. It then became a daily thing and eventually, it stuck.
From then on, I have become a self-confessed exercise addict which can be a blessing and curse at times. Sometimes it makes it much easier for me to find the motivation to get on with a workout as it has become a part of my routine. At times, it can be a curse as I massively struggle to take time off. It is hard knowing when you should rest, but the benefits of resting far outweigh ignoring your body’s signals. A key point would be to trust your body. The battle between finding the right balance of rest versus exercise can be a hard one, however, I believe everyone can get there. Anything is possible when you trust yourself and your body’s needs.
Remember, if your body is well enough to allow you to move, be grateful for that. So many people are not fortunate enough to do so. When you begin to think of how much exercise is a privilege, it puts the “I can’t be bothered to workout” into perspective.
Another big thing when trying to get into fitness is finding the right time for you. As well as finding the right sport for you (whether that be yoga, cycling,running, HIIT, weight training, walking or swimming etc) is also finding the right time of day to workout. I am a morning person through and so if it’s not done by midday, I struggle to find the motivation to get it done. However, some people find working out later in the day works much better for them. There is no right time to workout so, honestly, do not put pressure on yourself. As long as it works for you, that is what matters.
Perhaps you could maybe invite a friend with you if you are thinking of trying a new fitness class. Having someone to do it with keeps you accountable and can also make the process more enjoyable. I personally love going for walks with my Mum and sister more than I like going for walks on my own. It is the social aspect of having someone to talk to that makes me forget that I am exercising. This is all the more useful on those days when you are having a slump. Knowing you have promised someone that you are going to exercise today will make you less likely to cancel on them.
Lastly, I think a huge factor is changing your perspective on what purpose the exercise is serving. When you see it as something that you are doing for yourself, it makes it become more of a self-care task, as opposed to a punishment. Our bodies are incredible vessels – it will tell you when it doesn’t want to do something. Most of the time it is about gauging when our mind is telling us no versus when our body is telling us no. As long as it’s not the latter, chances are you WILL feel better for that workout. It is a huge mental battle at times, and you cannot expect to always win, but it is the taking initiative that matters.
Not sure where to start or look? I have done a post on some great female fitness accounts to follow for workout inspiration. I promise you, there will be a workout out there for you. It just takes some trial and error to find out what works for you and, in particular, your body.
Sometimes the hardest part is getting out the door. Once you have done that, you are already a step closer to your goal. We are so quick to judge ourselves for not doing enough, being lazy, not being quick enough, that we lose sight of the most important thing: that you chose to respect your body through movement.
I hope this post gave you some insight into my mindset around fitness or perhaps provided you with some motivation to invest in yourself through movement. Own it, you have got this.
IVC