How to Start Your Fitness Journey as an Absolute Beginner

Here’s to new beginnings and a happier, healthier lifestyle!

So, you’re new to the fitness world and want to do everything you can to quickly improve your health. Congratulations on making one of the best decisions of your life! Not only will you feel better, but you’ll look better, too. The number of benefits you’ll receive by working out regularly, eating a balanced and healthy diet, drinking enough water, and getting good quality sleep is bountiful.

How to Go from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Physically

Physically, you likely have improvements to make. Maybe you want to lose some weight or tone your muscles. Perhaps, you want to be more proactive about your health and think that building exercise into your routine is a great place to start. Whatever your decision is, know that you can go from where you are physically to where you want to be with determination and planning.

Some pointers that will help you start your fitness journey as an absolute beginner include:

• Find exercises that you enjoy doing daily. What you choose to do for a workout makes a world of difference. It can add to your enjoyment or make things feel daunting. Think carefully about the types of exercise you think you’d like to engage in regularly. Then, make them a priority in your day. If possible, exercise first thing in the morning, so you have no excuse not to work out. You’ll feel better and more energized, too, because you do not depend on caffeine to wake up. The endorphins that you produce while working out are enough to start your day outright.
• Enlist the help of a personal trainer right away. A trained professional help you get your workout routine perfected from the very start of your fitness journey. They provide you with a list of dos and don’ts to try. The expert also provides you with sound advice that prevents injuries and helps you burn more calories with less effort. The person that you choose to train you can set you up for success. Eventually, you’ll be working out on your own using the guidance they provided to you along the way.
• Recruit an accountability buddy to keep you motivated. Having a trusted family member or friend that you can count on to check in with often is ideal. It gives you the motivation to stick to your goals even when you feel like you’re not making much progress. Someone who is in a similar situation as you or remembers how difficult it was to begin their fitness routine is who you want to hold you accountable. They’ll have tips and tricks for getting you out of your own way because they know how it feels to experience setbacks and challenges. They’ll also know the importance of regularly checking in with you, so they won’t go weeks without seeing how you’re progressing with your goals.
• Build plenty of recovery time into your schedule. One mistake that newbies make is trying to do too much all at once. You can hurt yourself and your progress by being overly ambitious when starting a new fitness routine. Moderation is vital, and rest days are crucial for recovery.
• Vary your routine so that you don’t grow bored. Add new activities to your week so that you embrace exercise with enthusiasm. Working with your personal trainer helps you target specific areas of your body that need the most attention. You can devote one day to your legs and another to your arms. You can do yoga or walk on the days where you’re spending time recovering so that you still get movement in but don’t overdo it. 
• Going to the gym isn’t the only way to get physically fit. Exercise takes many forms indoors and outdoors. You can ride a bike, run on your favorite trail, take your dog or children for a stroll, and even count the pick-up game of basketball you played as physical activity. Start thinking about ways to build more exercise in your daily routines, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking further distances from entrances. 
• Make it a family affair by working out with your spouse, siblings, or children. Promoting good health and wellness in your household helps you achieve your goals faster. You’ll have the support of your loved ones who want to be healthy, too. They’ll be the first to suggest a walk after dinner or a game of Frisbee in the park or use indoor machines (see our rowing machine reviews, elliptical reviews, or treadmill reviews). 
• Provide yourself with incentives for surpassing a milestone.  Give yourself the opportunity to be rewarded for the achievements that you make. You’ll have more of a reason to stick to your goals when things get hard. You’ll feel incredibly good knowing that you passed yet another milestone and got another reward for doing so.

People that have built fitness routines into their daily lives often feel their best inwardly and outwardly. There are many things to look forward to once you’ve started working out, eating right, and prioritizing self-care. You’ll become an unstoppable version of your former self. Your level of personal satisfaction increases because you’ve taken the time to listen to your body and get to know what it needs in terms of movement, nourishment, and care. 

Want to know even more about workouts for beginners? Then consider checking our blogs – HIIT Elliptical Workout for Beginners and Stationary Bike Workout for Beginners.

The Benefits of Being an Absolute Beginner

Being a beginner has its benefits. You’re able to approach your routine without preconceived notions and biases. Instead, you’ve got a beginner’s mindset and are open to learning as much as possible about being fit and healthy. You’re willing to be flexible to achieve your fitness goals because you haven’t experienced disappointment yet. 

Being resilient and flexible helps you accomplish more than you ever dreamed you would before starting your fitness journey. Following the tips listed above allows you to overcome challenges quickly and build a healthy routine that you enjoy taking part in. You can involve your family and pets in the process, too, making it even more beneficial because you know that your entire household is doing everything it can to feel well and stay physically and mentally fit.