It's that time of the year when people start setting their New Year's resolution to exercise more in 2022. Perhaps you've made this same resolution many years in a row, but found it really difficult to stick to a routine. Perhaps you found the gym to be too intimidating or too expensive. Or what you saw on social media scared you from even trying. Somehow, fitness has become so inaccessible that it has made people feel like it’s impossible to sustain a fitness routine. However, here at The Daily Movement, we believe and advocate that fitness can be for everyone. Fitness simply looks different for everyone. In this blog post, we will share with you 5 tips on how you can reclaim fitness and make it your own!
Tip 1: Brainstorm on what fitness looks like for you
Everyone has a different definition of fitness. You don’t have to go to the gym if that’s something you really don’t like. For your routine to be sustainable, fitness needs to align with your interests. Take out a piece of paper and list out all the fitness-y activities that you enjoy doing. If you can’t think of any, list out a bunch of things you would like to try or get better at. Fitness is so broad and can include things like:
Going on Walks | Calisthenics | Swimming | Yoga |
Pole Dancing | Running | Spin Classes | Zumba |
Sports (e.g. football or tennis) | Dance | CrossFit | Gymnastics |
Identifying what fitness means to you is the first step in creating a sustainable fitness routine. Remember that this is YOUR list, and it is based on your personal interests. At The Daily Movement, we believe that the best fitness routine for you is the one you can stick to!
Tip 2: Start small
To set yourself up for success, let’s start small by breaking down your list into small baby steps. If you’re interested in dance, the first step could include looking up dance studios or finding a dance YouTube tutorial that you might be interested in trying. If you want to try lifting, the first step could be looking up gyms or fitness classes that might work for you.
Tip 3: Apply the 5-minute rule
The 5-minute rule is a tool to help with procrastination. But it can be applied to this as well. Now that you have a general idea of where to start (from step 2), you need to carve out time for it in your schedule. To make this less overwhelming, tell yourself that all you need to do is spend 5 minutes on the task. For example, if you want to start working out at a gym but can't seem to get off the couch, set a timer for 5 minutes and start getting ready to leave. Once the five minutes is up and you still don't want to go, you can not go. However, chances are you're more inclined to go now that you're dressed and ready to leave.
Tip 4: Repeat tip 3 - Keep applying the 5-minute rule
Repeat the 5-minute rule until you've made it to the gym or the yoga class you were planning on going to. Showing up is already a win! If you've signed up for a group class, like a free trial @ The Daily Movement's outdoor fitness classes, all you need to do is show up and the coach will guide you through the workout. Showing up takes work! And the more you do it, the easier it becomes!
Tip 5: Find a community
Peer pressure can be a good thing! Find a group of people that has similar interests with you. You could try befriending the people in your fitness classes or calling up a friend who you know likes to dance as well. You are more likely to keep up with your new fitness routine if the people around you encourage you to do it too!
Remember that anyone and everyone has the capacity to live a healthy life! We hope this article gave you an idea of where to start in your new fitness journey. Remember that fitness looks different for everyone! All the best!
Coaches' Notes:
Always consult your physician before starting a new exercise routine.
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