Top 10 Tips to Start Exercising as A Beginner

“I’m going to get in shape in 2022”! Is this your new resolution too? If I am not mistaken, this was on last year’s list too. Don’t lose heart. It happened to me as well a few years back. I loved my morning sleep more than waking up early and doing those squats, burpees, and whatnot. Believe it or not, I found it difficult even to walk a few steps without breathlessness and forget about running. However, I learned the hard way that nothing but fitness should be our top priority for all the good reasons in today’s world, and I have made fitness part of my life.

Your body is the reflection of the choices that you have made so far. So please blame yourself but no one if you have been following an unhealthy lifestyle. But better late than never. If you have made up your mind to see a healthy version of yourself, you are on the right track. It’s a proven fact that maintaining a healthy balance between physical and mental activity benefits the body. You don’t necessarily need to stick to a strict, time-consuming gym routine to reap the benefits of your workouts, although it can be beneficial. Try different exercises to see which one you prefer. It can be anything from jogging, cycling, Swimming, practicing yoga, etc. Whatever you choose, assure yourself to be consistent. Identify the best way to get started and build a long-term exercise routine that you’ll enjoy and stick by.

If you’ve never worked out before, it’s natural to be unsure where to start. Here’s what may try if you have never exercised in your life but would like to start on this journey to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for you to start your journey towards a healthy lifestyle as a beginner:

1. Stop saying, “I will start from the following Monday, or next month or next week:
   Start today for a healthier tomorrow. Your next Monday will never knock on your door if you don’t understand the importance of being fit. Think of your body like a plant, which may die without proper nourishment and care.
2. Start slow
   Remember it is not mandatory to hit the gym immediately after you decide to start exercising. We’ve all heard that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You may start with morning walks for a couple of days or weeks. Once you have built the habit of going for morning walks every day, you can slowly increase the difficulty level and run for 20-30 minutes. If you do this for a month, this will become a habit for you, and you can easily hit the gym to learn other exercises.
3. Understand your goal: Now that you are regular and have some physical activities included in your daily routine, you may move to the next level. But before that, it is essential to identify your goal whether you are trying to lose weight, gain weight or build muscle. Most importantly, your fitness goal should be realistic. You cannot aim to lose 10 kg in one month or desire to have a flat belly in a month or two. It’s advisable to take advice from a fitness expert if you are unsure how to go about it.
4. Workout time:  There is no ideal time for a workout, that does not mean you will go out jogging right after a meal. It would be best if you chose a convenient time for you. If you are a morning person or feel energetic in the morning, you may choose a morning workout. Alternatively, you can set aside some time at the end of the day to recover and unwind rather than pressuring yourself to wake up early. The only way to know for sure is to try it at various times of the day and determine what works best for you.
5. Track your progress & do not give up: The best way to stay motivated is to see your progress over time! Keeping track of how much improvement you’ve made can help lift your spirits. You may tend to lose motivation, which is ok, but do not lose the momentum. Take a small break of 1-2 days, revive and start again.
6. Consider hiring a personal trainer: A personal trainer will be an excellent choice for a beginner if you need encouragement to keep going. They’ll walk you through the fundamentals and provide you with individualized assistance along the way. When it comes to getting fit, paying someone to do so increases your likelihood of sticking with your plan. Besides that, your trainer will also show you how to perform the exercises correctly not to injure yourself. But remember, you cannot have a personal trainer forever unless you are a fat cat 😊.
7. Establish a solid foundation by mastering the fundamentals: Take some time to learn the fundamentals of your exercise of choice before moving on to more advanced levels. This will help you strengthen your basics, which we usually tend to ignore.
8. Have patience and believe in yourself:  Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on making long-term changes and believe in yourself. Wanting to have six-pack abs, a bikini body, or showing off your toned body on your Instagram profile is no harm. Regardless of your fitness goals, maintaining a steady pace is essential.
9. Embrace Your Journey: Fitness doesn’t just start when you hit the gym. Your lifestyle will support your fitness journey in the gym and at home. Include healthy meal options in your routine and establish a consistent sleep schedule to help your body recover and build strength. This way, you won’t feel as antsy on rest days.

Going to the gym isn’t the only way to get fit. It is more critical to plan your day around a healthy diet and regular sleep cycles. If you don’t eat well and get enough sleep, all of your hard work will be for nothing. If you genuinely want to enjoy your fitness journey, you’ll have to make some lifestyle changes. Your lifestyle will help you achieve your fitness goals in and out of the gym.

What are you waiting for? Start today for a better tomorrow!

Author: Shikha Borah