My Top 5 Tips & How I Started My Fitness Journey

As some of you may know, especially those of you who follow along on Instagram, I have made a commitment to myself and my body to get my fitness on fleek.

Now, it’s not that I’m particularly unfit or anything. I mean sure, I can’t really run for more than 10 minutes without wanting to shoot myself in the foot, but I can hold a plank for 1 minute if I try really hard. That’s the thing, I’m not weak but I’ also not particularly strong. I sit in the comfortable average of fitness classes, being able to keep up with most exercises but not all – looking at you mountain climbers! I have no issue downing a green smoothie, but it was time my fitness came to match and staid that way.

How To Start Your Fitness Journey         

So, as Sprinkle of Green being about well-being and all, I thought you guys might want to come along with me. I’ll be sharing what has and hasn’t been working for me, things I’ve learned along the way, and, in this post especially, some tips to get the engine running.

  1. Set goals that are bigger than simply how you look

    Of course I’m not going to lie to you and say that losing some fat doesn’t feel good, but you know what feels even better? Getting stronger. Setting goals beyond just ‘losing weight’ has been a game-changer for me, as I never really bought into that ‘nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ nonsense. Whoever said that has clearly never had pancakes. Or brownies. Or cookies.What has worked for me is seeing myself inch closer to other goals – such as being able to do 5 full push-ups (no knees) and inch closer and closer to headstands and handstands. I’m still a while away, but every day I try brings me closer.

  2. Find an exercise you love

    I hate running. I’ve tried, believe me, I’ve gone with friends, on my own, on the treadmill, around a marina, at the beach, in the park, the great outdoors. It just does not mesh with me, and my mind starts to hate life. So instead of putting myself through it I embrace the exercises I do enjoy, and they are aplenty – HIIT, boxing, yoga, Pilates, calisthenics, weights, and spinning are my jam.Bottom line is, it’s like relationships – you gotta kiss a few frogs until you find your prince. Just because you hate hitting the gym for a weights session, doesn’t mean you hate working out. Step outside your comfort zone and try different classes.

    One of the best ways to do this is actually using ClassPass – you sign up and get to try out tons of different classes in different gyms. It’s pretty awesome. Oh, and if you sign up through this link you’ll get £30 off. Pretty awesome deal if you ask me 😉

  3. Laugh along the way

    Honestly, I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve felt ridiculous doing a certain exercise. It’s human nature to be a little self conscious, especially when trying out a new class or using a new piece of gym equipment. Two things I’ve learned though: 1) no one gives a shit and 2) I don’t either.When you’re working out everyone is so focused on doing their own thing that they’ll probably not even notice you. I’ve gotten stuck underneath squat machines and forgotten routines in dance classes. The best way is to just laugh it off and keep on going.

  4. Leave room for error

    Life is not one perfect story, so chances are your fitness plans and goals won’t be either. Leave room for days off, for being hungover, for eating pizza, and for sometimes losing motivation. Just don’t quit. Pick yourself up and keep going.I will sometimes have a weekend where I may have eaten a little lot too much and not exercised at all. Such is life, and while it doesn’t feel great there is no reason to beat yourself up about it – everyone has off days or sometimes even weeks.

  5. Surround yourself with those who inspire you

    I did a post a while back with my favourite inspiration Instagrammers, and seeing other women be such badasses when it comes to fitness is so inspiring for me. It is sooo worth it to surround yourself with people who will help you keep going. So enlist friends to come with you to workouts and then go together to brunch afterwords, make friends at a gym you always go to, and make your workouts a social event. Not only does it make it more enjoyable, it means you’ll actually want to go.

My Favourite Inspirational Fitness Instagram Accounts

 

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