Why Haven’t You Taken To Fitness Before Now?
The title of this article can seem quite rude on the surface. After all, who is anyone to ask you what your approach to fitness has been, and even if you’re not happy with the results, why that was?
But it’s a good question to ask ourselves, especially if we’ve struggled with fitness in the past. For some, the answer is clear – “life is extremely busy and intense, and I’ve never managed to stick to a schedule.” That’s good enough. No judgement here at all.
Yet, if you’re thinking about getting back into it, thinking about your past experiences in either direction can be a helpful way to rebuild that mindset. Perhaps you just forced yourself into a lifting regimen you didn’t like, or maybe you wish you had someone to go with given how hard you find it to motivate yourself, especially after caring for a family and working a full-time job.
So, why haven’t we taken to fitness before now? Let’s answer this question with a little more warmth than the title implies:
Finding your exercise passion
Most people don’t stick with fitness because they don’t enjoy it. And really, why would you? If something feels like a chore, it’s only natural to avoid it. But exercise doesn’t have to be a rigid gym routine or something you dread to experience each day if you do it right. Maybe lifting weights isn’t your thing (that’s fine), but swimming, cycling, or rock climbing could be a passion you adore if you give it a chance. The last one especially has exploded in popularity. In your case, maybe the idea of jogging sounds awful, but a dance class or a local hiking group would actually get you moving. If you’ve struggled before, it’s worth considering whether you ever really enjoyed what you were doing.
Gaining that newcomer comfort
Fitness isn’t the most comfortable lifestyle to have, and that’s sort of the point because feeling good and comfortable aren’t always linked. If walking into a gym or fitness class has ever felt like a bit too much, especially if you’re a little sad about your weight, you’re not alone. It’s easy to assume everyone there is experienced, in perfect shape, and silently judging. But in reality, most people are focused on themselves, not on who just walked in, and every single person started somewhere. You may find that using the best personal trainer can once again give you that passion and comfort to build your momentum once more.
Confused spending and overpreparation for good fitness
The fitness industry loves to sell the idea that you need special shoes, the coolest activewear, the perfect protein shake, or a top-tier smartwatch to make progress. In reality, all you need is consistency and good form in your chosen exercise.
A simple pair of sneakers and a bit of space are enough for bodyweight exercises, for instance, and a basic gym membership will do just fine without the latest fitness brand. You can just go for local walks if you want to feel better. Better yet, you’ll never find a better pre-workout than a good night’s sleep and a meal that fuels you properly.
With this advice, you’ll hopefully take to fitness again, but on your own terms this time.
Top photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash
