9 Ways To Start Exercising Today!

I remember when i started exercising, it was so hard and i had always bragged of a body that snatches back to normal after giving birth.

It was not until i had my third baby that i gained so much weight i did not like it especially because i grew up a tiny girl and that is all i knew. It is ironic now that i got a bit too tiny for my liking then i had to add a bit of some weight.

However i still maintain a consistent exercise routine throughout the week.

But anyway this is not about me but about you and how you can start exercising if you have always wanted to start but never started or you started but you were not consistent.

Let us get you fired up to start!

Set an intention
Make a clear plan
Create time
Pick a place suitable & convenient for you
Have fun
Follow people who inspire you
Put up your exercise goals where you can see them daily
Show up no matter what
Reward yourself

Set An Intention!

Setting an intention is knowing that you have chosen a certain path and everything you do each day supports that decision.

What do you want out of this? Then decide every day to show up for this reason.

Setting an intention to exercise means you you are conscious daily to do something that exercises your body.

There are so many reasons that people want to start exercising but what is most important is to know what your reasons are.

Get to know yourself a bit more.

What makes you uncomfortable about not starting a consistent exercise routine?

Did you give birth and someone kept teasing you about your weight gain? However you should note that starting something that will improve your life has to start from a place of self love because it will drive you.

Knowing that you are valuable will drive you to keep improving your life unapologetically.

So decide what it is you desire;

Lose weight
Build muscle
Health reasons

Let your reasons be your motivation to start gym.

Make A Clear Plan!

When it comes to exercising and eating healthy, many end at setting the goals to start and never really start. So do not just set an intention but have a clear plan on your exercise journey.

There is no arrival point but you just keep going and in this process you learn what works for you and what does not.

Creating a plan is coming up with a strategy that will get you to your desired outcome.

For example for if you want to build muscle you may need to do strength resistance exercises more.

This will give you direction on your exercising journey so that when you start you have what you need and it is easier to continue because you are not shuffling through but you are clear of your direction.

Another thing that makes many shy away from starting is not having gym equipment. There are many exercise videos that do not require any equipment.

You may also need to invest in body building equipment and diet.

Mom tip: watch your energy levels, watch if your meals are working for you. Do not starve yourself trying to lose weight. Allow your body to lose weight over a period of time.

Create Time

I use the word create because it is so common for many of us to complain about not having time.

Yes i understand you work 9-5, you have children you need to take care if, you have to study, you have events to attend on weekends and business to run. However if you have made something a priority then you will create the time for it.

Create time that will work for you daily. Do this so that you can maintain consistency and create a habit out of it.

Look at your routines already, where can you fit in 30 minutes of exercise consistently? and slowly build momentum as you get used to exercising.

Can you use your mornings or evenings?

If you feel you are swamped? Can you remove any unfruitful thing you spend your time on.

Other times its not that its unfruitful but you just want to create more time for improving your life in other areas.

If you are used to staying more hours at work after knock off time, reduce it by 30 minutes then you are realistic about starting exercises.

If you do not create time ahead deliberately it will not happen even if you have the most amazing gym gear.

Pick a place suitable & convenient for you!

We all have different responsibilities in life where we need to show up. You know your daily schedule well and which times are best suitable for you and which environment can work for you.

Why do i make this step important?

You may desire to train at the gym in town but if you have young children in the house it may not be realistic.

It may require more will power for you to get to the gym because already you have children who just desire to see you next to them and the mom guilt can weigh you down.

Weigh your options well, maybe for now the living room or empty space in your house and some you tube videos will work for you.

If you decide that going to the gym is what will work for you then go ahead and just make sure you will be consistent.

Exercising 30 minutes daily is more effective than once a week and tiring yourself at it for an hour or two. It can be fun if you already exercise daily.

Have Fun!

This will get you excited and something that excites you, you desire to experience again.

For the mamas who want to start their exercise journey at home there are plenty of you tube videos that are fun and are sure to get you looking forward to the next gym time.

If aerobic exercises will get you started and keep you motivated enough to continue then consider starting with aerobic exercises and maintaining them.

Build momentum as you get used to exercising by adding more challenging exercises. For example doing burpees is so challenging but when your body is getting stronger then it becomes attainable.

Sometimes doing one and the same routines is what gets people to actually quit gym altogether. Do not bore yourself!

Try new exercises and keep improving there more your capacity grows even your exercises should be more challenging so your journey improves too.

Take walks, try yoga , kick boxing and more!

If you love loud music, then pump up the volume like i do sometimes when I’m driving from work after a hectic day.

You can even set new intentions from time to time to improve and have fun really.

Follow People who Inspire You!

You know when you go through your feed on social media, then you come across someone so well dressed just the way you like it. It inspires you to also bring your A game and pay attention to detail.

Follow gym junkies who really inspire you. Wherever you spend your time looking and being inspired just become without being aware at times.

Let the way we influence each other on social media work for you.

Sometimes we mess up by trying to duplicate someone. Its not what i am saying here. Learn from the best, run with it and let it fit into who you are, your own purpose and plan for your own life.

So now scrolling through your feed will be more intentional and the people you follow too will be people that add more value to your life as much as you do to others!

Pin It!

Whether you pin it on your vision board or have pictures of people exercising or bombard your you tube downloads with it it does matter. What matters is you are creating an environment conducive for you to be influenced.

Why do we wear makeup now than we ever did 15 years ago in society?

We see it all around us, its reality shows, instagram, pinterest, more makeup brands, and so many makeup tutorial videos that actually make you think i might just try this its pretty and i want to look like that.

So our environment influences us a lot more than we realise! Take advantage of this!

Create your own environment!

Show Up No Matter What!

You most definitely show up at your work even if you do not want to. So just trust that you will show up in your own personal life just as much.

Even if your child decided to breastfeed while you had just started doing pushups!! Pressure mounts, but you finish a breastfeeding and continue!

Someone may be thinking that at work one is motivated by a pay check month end so its different.

A healthy body and dressing the way you desire and not be limited by your body shape is a great reward.

Starting something is really hard because your thoughts go over what else you could be spending your time on at that moment.

Show up no matter what and be consistent , after some days it will be much easier and you are on your way to creating new habits.

Reward Yourself!

This one is very important.

You can always reward yourself so you are always encouraged to continue.

There are so many ways in which people reward themselves, it depends more on things you love.

You can get yourself more gym gear, new clothes that show off your new figure, swim wear in you favourite colour.

Rewarding yourself is not always about spending but you can just make your best cup of coffee with a creamer or catch up on your TV programmes knowing you have achieved so much.

Wrapped In Love,

Futhi Mkhwanazi

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