How I’ve worked out consistently

#fitnessjourney

I’ve…never really liked working out. For the longest time I never had the “dopamine hit” everyone gets after they work out. I grew up with exercise as a means of punishment, rather than to grow stronger.

But after learning about foods, the body, and the variety of ways of moving my body, that’s what I’ve learned: It’s more about growing stronger, how your body *feels* than a means of destination or worthiness.

So, here’s how I became from someone who barely moved their body to now consistent

1. Start low and build up.

This could be weights, classes, or even walking. In order to build endurance and consistency, you want yourself to be confident that you can do it, and not want to 💀. I started with no weights strength training for a few weeks. Week 1: 10 minutes. Week 2: 10 minutes strength + 10 minute cardio. Week 3: 20 minutes strength Week 4: Lowest set of dumbbells (5 pounds each) back down to 10 minutes, and repeat. Every 2-3 weeks you should be confident and strong enough to add on the weight and time.

2. Do workouts you enjoy

What really matters is that you move your body. That’s it. 🤷🏻‍♂️ You don’t have to do weights to train; you can hike with backpacks in the woods, play a sport, whatever will make you excited to get up is what you gotta do. I traded treadmill cardio for kickboxing because I found I LOVE kickboxing, and the treadmill—while easier than running outside—isn’t as engaging for me. (I also like HIIT and Pilates which I do on rest days)

3. Fuel your body with food. It’s not the enemy.

I would encourage everyone to listen to “Simply Balanced” Podcast by Taylor Grasso who is a dietitian. It’s a podcast mainly for women and she goes over what foods are and how they interact with our body, and *how* to eat. It’s helped me so much with learning that every food has its place, how to be more “nutrient dense” in my choices, and lessen food guilt.

4. Admire yourself and your progress.

A lot of the time when we miss a workout, or feel like we’re working out as a means to an end, we do so out of feeling an obligation to change our body, and not how we feel. But admiring yourself, and the work you put in by showing up, is an act of self love. And will encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing. Not because you hate yourself. But because you love yourself, and you want to continue to feel good in your body.

#Fitness #howto #selflove