Let's fix our attitude towards fitness

Did you just like me, make a new year’s resolution to workout consistently? You started off everyday but slowly drifted away from the goal. Yes, this is a very normal phenomenon and happens to almost everyone. One of the major reasons is you’re not motivated, or you need to start having a positive attitude towards fitness.

In this article, we will learn about how you could start building a positive attitude towards working out and shifting to a better perspective of physical wellness. When I say physical wellness, it doesn’t mean weight loss or weight gain, it plainly implies having a fit and healthy body. Let’s talk about some Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind during this journey.

Don’t: Do not delay making good choices. Trust me, you don’t have to wait until Monday or the 1st of any month to start something good for yourself. The more you delay, the farther you go from being a better self.

Do: Start now! Start making good decisions right now. Every second, every minute is a new start. Even if it is a small thing to do, it all counts.

Don’t: You do not need to spend a lot of money to buy fitness equipment. Fitness isn’t all about hitting the gym, it is about keeping your body active enough to stay healthy. One fancy machine isn’t going to fix your body, or one big machine isn’t going to do the job.

Do: If you want to spend money to buy something for your workout, get a good pair of supportive sports shoes. Even with some good shoes, a yoga mat and activewear, you CAN reach your goal. If you really want to get a machine, earn it. Show yourself that you are dedicated enough to buy one, workout regularly for 2-3 months and then when you know you are in that “no turning back” zone, you can get yourself that investment. Or try going for a used machine, most of the “used” machines have been used the least and are just a clothes hanger sitting in a room.

Don’t: Don’t do it alone. If you have a partner to accompany you in this, it will help you a lot more. The encouragement you’d both get from each other will make you push yourself harder.

Do: If you cannot get a partner, ask your family members to be accountable for your workouts. Ask them to give you gentle reminders about working out, meals, etc. Ask them to be your shoulder for the setback days and to motivate you.

Don’t just jump right in. Take it one step at a time, if you are working out after a long break, it is highly possible that you’d injure yourself, or it could lead to fatigue. If your day 1 goes heavy on your body, it will discourage you leading to quitting and then a low self-esteem.

Do: Accept your flaws, your routine and try and understand your body. Know your limitations and acknowledge the fact that your fitness journey isn’t going to be perfect. You will miss a day of working out, things happen, but instead of going two steps back, try balancing the act. Fixing your attitude towards fitness is nothing but a balanced approach.

If you miss a day’s workout session, try balancing it out by eating a small salad for dinner instead of a heavy meal. If you can’t go to the gym, try home workouts, if you’re bored doing it at home in the same room, switch rooms, try different music, try different workouts. One of the major reasons people hate working out is because they don’t enjoy it. If you hate burpees, like me, try doing a modified version. If you hate cardio, try Zumba! A quick Zumba session as a replacement for your warm-up could motivate you to sweat it out more. Find an exercise that you enjoy and make sure you do it daily.

I live in Canada, one of the coldest places on Earth. It is very difficult to go out for runs in winter or hit the gym. But I have invested in a yoga mat, a good pair of shoes, resistance bands and a speaker.

Remember how good you feel after working out and do it for that feeling. If you feel you’re not being productive enough, try working out and trust me, it will do wonders. Working out also helps you resolve unsettling thoughts. It helps you untangle mentally and focus on the right things. It helps you embrace challenges and find a balance in things.

After all fitness is not about losing weight in n number of days or gaining it, it is about growing old gracefully.