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MINDSET.MINDSET.MINDSET.

STARTING YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY

It’s an exciting time when you think about starting your fitness journey. Why? Because you’re embarking on your journey to change for the better. Some of us want to lose weight, put on muscle, increase endurance, and/or simply do enough to maintain the lifestyle we have. Whatever your goal is, it’s important to set smart, realistic goals. Any goal is attainable, but it’s important to make it digestible.

For example, if you want to lose 50lbs, that’s great! However, at the same time it can seem like quite a ways away. When you chop it up into smaller milestones to reach, like 10lbs at a time, you have great benchmarks to reach, and you get to celebrate more! It’s important to understand that as you get stronger, small factors have to change along the way to keep the progress going.

Let’s use the example of weight loss. Typically, the first few pounds tend to be the easiest to drop with conscious efforts and changes to your exercise and food routine. It’s important to recognize that along the way, you have to learn and be aware of what’s happening.

What do all these questions have in common–none of them have anything to do with the numbers on the scale.

While I personally use the scale for check-ins with my clientele, I use a scale that can tell me the whole story versus just the pounds. What’s IN your weight is what matters – hydration, body fat, muscle mass, and visceral fat (fat pushing against your organs), for example. So if you do purchase a scale, make sure it can tell you the whole story. Now while this is a great tool, it’s not something that should be used obsessively, in my opinion. When I perform weigh-ins, I prefer to weigh my clients every two to four-weeks depending on where they are on their journey and their consistency. But even with these smart scales, I much rather have them check-in with themselves.

Those are the best measurement tools that keep you going long-term.

Exercise isn’t meant to be a punishment to your body. It’s not something you should do because you don’t feel like you match up to someone else physically, or look like those in the limelight. It’s also something you won’t grasp overnight, so learn as you go. Aside from living a healthier, longer life, exercise allows you to live your best life. You can jump on any opportunity as it arises because you are as healthy as can be. You don’t want to feel like you have to avoid any social gatherings or events because you’re not capable to do so when it’s in your control. So don’t look to start your fitness journey as a temporary diet. Take it nice and easy. Ease in. Set small goals.

1. 1. Mediate for 5-10 min in the morning, Monday-Friday
   2. Exercise for 20 min for 3 days out of the week

1. 1. Mediate for 5-10 min every morning
   2. Exercise for 20 min 4 days out of the week

Create your goals in phases. There’s nothing more overwhelming to a Busy Body than going from an extremely busy schedule without exercise and regular health conscious food decisions, to all of a sudden going cold turkey on your regular habits, and adding a two-a-day exercise routine. Small changes truly add up to big results. If you want lasting results get it done correctly.

And MOST IMPORTANTLY, if you don’t hit all your goals, GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT. If you haven’t worked out in 5 years, and manage one workout for that week, that’s more than you’ve previously done! Great job! There’s no quitting when you’re making a lifestyle change. One “setback” doesn’t ruin it all. Just get back to it. It’s as simple as that. Don’t put excess pressure on yourself when no one else is. As long as you’re honest with yourself and making true efforts, it’s all worth celebrating!

My task for you is to write 2 goals for yourself for this next month, and decide how you’ll progress it for the second half of the month, like the examples above. Get moving you BUSY BODY! You’re your own boss, and bosses don’t quit!

Enjoy the journey!

Wishing you Health & Happiness,

Maricris Lapaix

Your BUSY BODIES Coach