4 things I wish I knew when…
4 things I wish I knew when I started my fitness journey:
1. You have to eat a LOT of protein to reach an aesthetic goal. 🫠This held me back for so long. I was doing all the right training but not seeing the results because my protein intake was waaaay too low. Once I started hitting my protein goal (I like to shoot for / have my clients shoot for 30% of daily calorie intake from protein), I started seeing changes pretty quick.
2. If you don’t prioritize the time to work out or grocery shop - you’re not going to do it. You’ll get double booked in your calendar, push it off til later in the day, and then get too tired to go. Every Sunday, schedule workouts/groceries/meal prep in your calendar for the week ahead. These are non-negotiable. If someone tries to book something here, you simply say you’re not available at that time (like you would a doctor’s appointment). ✍🏼
3. The fancy shmancy workouts you see on social media aren’t the workouts that will get you where you want to be. Keep it simple (push / pull / hinge / squat / lunge variations), and repeat the same workouts for 8+ weeks at a time. Track the weight you use each week and push yourself to increase the weight or reps at each workout to prioritize progressive overload. 💪🏼
4. You may think that once you’ve reached your goal - you’re good to go back to what you were doing before. ❌Wrong❌ Unless you want to give up the progress you’ve made, you have to continue to work at maintaining your progress. This is why it’s important to enjoy the foods you’re eating and the way you’re training - or you won’t stick to it once you’ve crossed the “finish line”. 🏁
5. BONUS: It takes time - longer than you may think - to actually reach your goals. ⌛️ The faster you can accept this and stop worrying about how long it’ll take, the more you can lean into the process and truly start to enjoy it. Then, the time will pass anyway and you won’t even notice because you’ll be hitting exciting milestones along the way. 🥳
Starting a fitness journey can be overwhelming, but having the right knowledge can significantly impact your results. One of the key elements is nutrition. Consuming adequate protein is crucial for muscle development and recovery. Aim for around 30% of your daily calories from protein to enhance your aesthetic outcomes. Time management is another critical aspect. Treat your workouts and meal prep as important appointments in your calendar to ensure accountability and commitment. This strategy helps prevent burnout and allows you to stay focused on your fitness goals. Moreover, simplicity is vital in your exercise routine. Contrary to flashy trends on social media, basic movements such as squats, lunges, and push/pull variations yield the best results over time. It’s essential to track your progress and progressively overload your routine to see continued improvements. Lastly, remember that reaching a goal doesn’t mean you can revert to your previous lifestyle. Maintenance requires continuous effort and a positive mindset towards nutrition and exercise. Enjoy the process and milestones along the way, as this mindset is key for long-term success. Embrace the journey and watch as you achieve your fitness goals!
![A person in gym attire squats next to an Adidas gym bag in a gym, with 'GYM GIRL DO'S & DON'TS Things I Wish I Knew [when I first started]' overlaid, setting the theme for fitness advice.](https://p16-lemon8-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com/tos-maliva-v-ac5634-us/o8B2BioFEVzA1l6TIBpAQEiAlNRVtgfN54Bsqd~tplv-sdweummd6v-shrinkf:640:0:q50.webp?lk3s=66c60501&source=seo_middle_feed_list&x-expires=1818957600&x-signature=zH%2BlitfF0FK8pAvkxQn2Ago%2FHjQ%3D)
