Seeing as I’m getting started on a new chapter of my fitness journey– a chapter in which I shift roles from being a student to becoming the teacher– I figured I should share some tips on getting started in fitness!

OwnMyFit Top 10 Tips to Getting Started

1. Write down your goals, and keep it somewhere you will look at often.  In addition to putting your overall goal in writing, I recommend writing down a daily, weekly, 3-month, 6-month, and 1 year goal.
2. More importantly, write down WHY you want to get fitter.  Whether you just want to be able to keep up with your kids, be able to remain active as you age, or excel in your sport, defining your WHY will be what keeps you motivated and grinding!
3. Be accountable to someone!  Whether it’s a friend, family member, significant other, coworker, etc, if you let someone know what you’re doing, you’re more likely to succeed!  If you’re lucky, they may even join you in trying to build healthier habits!  Don’t have an accountability buddy?  Join Instagram and hashtag #ownmyfit, and I’ll be your accountability buddy!
4. Find an exercise you enjoy doing, and set your goals so that they’re easily achievable.  For example, doing a workout DVD twice a week, or meeting up with a friend at the gym 3x/week.
5. Try different eating plans to see what works for you.  Remember that in order to make a lasting change, your eating plan must be sustainable.  While there are a wide variety of eating styles and portion management systems that work for different people based on food preferences and personalities, extreme dieting is almost never a good idea unless supervised by a doctor.
6. Focus on protein, fat, and fiber.  These components will keep you satisfied for longer so you end up eating less throughout the day without trying too hard.
7. Consistency is key!  Don’t let one indulgence or missed workout derail you!
8. Plan ahead.  Schedule your workout days ahead of time, and plan your meals.  Even if you don’t want to do a full-on Sunday meal prep, even thinking about what you’ll eat tomorrow will help you make better choices in the long run.
9. Eat what you love, in moderation.  Adopting a healthier lifestyle shouldn’t feel like punishment!  If you love carbs, a ketogenic diet won’t be sustainable for you in the long run.  A glass of wine or beer is 150-200 calories and can be fit into a balanced diet from time to time.  A bite of dark chocolate could prevent and all-out binge later on.  Portion control is key!
10. Don’t give up.  When things get hard, remember– You’re worth the effort!

I’ll go more in depth for each of these points in future blog posts, but hopefully this is enough to get you on your way to a healthier lifestyle!