Embarking on a health and fitness journey may seem daunting. Despite understanding the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, the first step might sometimes be the hardest to make as many journeys.

Starting your health and fitness journey does not have to be mired in confusion, frustration and dejection. There is no shortage of information on the internet about what to do or when and how to do it. Having all this information can get overwhelming. That is why we have established a guide on how you may begin. Follow the steps listed below to help you set off on the right foot.

Start Slow

Contrary to what you may believe, you do not have to be able to run 5km at a 6-minute pace without any breaks on your first day. Remember that it is called a ‘journey’, so you should start slowly. Take the time to learn how to do things properly to create a solid foundation to build upon at later stages. Allow yourself to get better before you start reaching for more challenging limits.

Slowly starting your fitness journey is crucial as it helps to avoid feelings of despair and frustration when you attempt something before you are capable of executing it.

Make it enjoyable

Health and fitness do not need to be restricted to sweaty hours spent in the gym, panting away while going through the same routine over and over. Fitness can come about through any number of activities that you find preferable. Therefore, why not make your fitness journey more enjoyable by participating in activities you find fun to do. There are many options available to choose from like:

  • Swimming.
  • Hiking.
  • Water sports.
  • Running.
  • Boxing.

The list goes on and on. All you have to do is find your best fit.

Set Your Goals

Having something to work toward is more likely to be a motivator for consistency and perseverance than an arbitrary uptake of more activity. Set goals before you begin so that you can maintain focus. Like most other ventures, setting short, middle and long term goals provides a yardstick by which you can measure your progress.

Expect Setbacks

Starting your journey does not mean everything else will fall away and wait for you to achieve your goals. Life must go on, and it may get in the way sometimes. You might encounter times when your schedule does not allow any time for a workout. There may also be instances when you feel like you have hit a plateau and are not making any more progress. Remember that these and other setbacks are just temporary. Working through and around them will have gratifying results.

Bring Your Friends

Having friends to take your health and fitness journey with you can make the prospect of workouts and exercise less dreary. Your friends can also be your support and accountability system. You will be more likely to make an effort to work out if you are aware that you are answerable to someone. Any setbacks you encounter will also have less of an impact as you will be able to turn to your friends for comfort and encouragement.

Finally, do not forget about food. Nutrition is just as important as activity and will be just as significant in helping to get the results you want.