Here are five things I wish I knew about fitness ten years ago or whenever it was that I really started focusing on being fit. If you want to know more about how I decided to focus on fitness, check out this very early podcast episode. Chris and I talked about how and why we began to focus on fitness. Since that time, I’ve learned some things. These five things that I wish I knew about fitness aren’t in any order of importance and certainly is not the only things I’ve learned.
- Things change and that’s ok. Working out and trying to live a healthy life is not the only thing going on in our lives. I mean, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. There are family events, work changes, financial changes. Yes, there are even changes due to a pandemic. There are plenty of things that happen that are out of our control so it’s ok to adjust what you’re doing to accommodate those changes. My goals ten years ago are not the same goals I have today. To be honest, I don’t really know if I ever met those ten year old goals because I’m not sure what they were. I do know that I’ve figured out how to work out when living in a hotel for an extended period of time. I’ve learned how to train when I’m dealing with an injury. I’ve learned that it’s ok to take a break from training and just enjoy walking all over Italy and being glad that I was able to do all of that walking.
- Nobody really cares what you’re doing. Go ahead and go to that bootcamp class if you think you’re ready, even if you think people will look down on you. They won’t because they’re too busy focusing on what they’re doing. Go lift weights in the free weight area. The people lifting weights aren’t going to care that you’re there.
- Conversely, don’t worry about what others are doing. There will always be people who are stronger or more flexible or faster. The only person you’re really competing with is yourself.
- Fitness and healthy living can change your relationships. Your friends and family may think it’s great that you’re getting fit and strong or they may think you’re doing too much. The physical changes in our bodies can cause changes in our relationships and we have to accept that. Accept that if you lose weight and your close friends or family are struggling with their own weight, they may struggle with what you’re doing. Focus on yourself and don’t worry about others.
- Tracking really does help. Figure out what is important to you and track it. I like to weigh myself daily and I measure myself about once a month. I measure my chest, waist, hips, and thigh because it’s an easy way to see what’s happening. If you’re lifting weights, keep track of your reps and the weights you’re using. If you’re running, pay attention to the distance you run or your pace. You don’t necessarily have to track everything you do but pay attention to it periodically. Tracking food is a truly eye-opening thing. Want a big surprise? Try tracking what you eat for a week and see the results. Calories sneak in to what I eat and somehow I end up with extra fat or sugar.
I know that there are probably more than five things I wish I knew about fitness. I could easily come up with another five items, I’m sure. Is there anything you wish you knew back when you started on this journey? Share your thoughts, please.