One Step at a Time

Getting fit is hard, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There’s an entire industry built around the concept of making getting fit “easier”. A pill for this, a trick for that, but the simple truth is, getting fit takes work. Hard work. If it were easy, we’d all be in CrossFit shape. 

An even tougher endeavor than getting into shape in the first place, is getting back into shape after falling out of a routine. Life happens, and just about anything can throw you off track. Work can take up your time, motivation can be sapped away, and what can go from a quick break from the gym can turn into months. One day, you’re running 5Ks and completing Tough Mudder courses, the next, you’re struggling to make it up the stairs of your second story apartment. 

So, how exactly does someone get back into fightin’ shape? Thanks for asking, dear reader. I’ve got a few tips from my own personal journey. Now, in the interest of transparency, I’m not some fitness guru. As of this writing, i’m actually on the “losing” side of my own battle to get back into shape. Let’s just say I took the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” as some sort of personal challenge.

That said, i’ve gone through this process before. And because of that, I know what my personal successes look like, and what it has taken to get to those points before. So here are my three “easy” steps to getting back into the swing of things.

Step One: Get Up

The obvious step. This doesn’t mean just getting out of bed, which can be an arduous task in and of itself. No, for this step, I mean taking those moments where sitting, laying, lounging, is the only thing you have on the docket and turning them into a movable moment.

About a year ago I acquired a stationary bike. Nothing fancy, just something to ride as a part of my wake-up routine. There was a good while when that bike was in use every day. I’d wake up, brush my teeth, walk the dog, then ride the bike while watching the news or Scrubs reruns on Comedy Central. Other times, I would ride it while playing video games. The perfect “two birds, one stone” scenario”. 

Eventually, the bike became just another piece of furniture. And like most furniture, took up space, held clothes that I was too lazy to put away and gathered dust. Getting back on that bike again was a huge step to creating a new routine. 

Step Two: Get Moving

This step is actually the fun part— once you get back into that routine I mentioned earlier; this part is about finding out what you want from your body and making it a reality though different exercises and diets.

One thing you learn after taking a long break from any sort of workout regime is that something that may have worked once, won't exactly work the next time around. Running a few miles a day may have been just the trick three years ago, but you can’t guarantee the same results this time around. You’ll want to get creative and take some chances with this step. Otherwise, you can easily become discouraged when you don’t immediately see the body changes that once came so quickly. 

Step Three: Get Real

The final step, the step that requires the most honesty and adjustment on the fly. Recognizing your goals and in some cases, your limitations. Fad diets and crash courses in fitness may yield immediate and drastic results, but most times, those practices aren’t sustainable.

How many times have you seen or heard of someone dropping massive amounts of weight, only to put it right back on a short while later? This happens when the decisions aren’t based on your lifestyle. Creating a plan that you can implement into your daily life and altering your current habits so that you do fall into the traps that cause fitness setbacks.

I’m a stress snacker, specifically with salty, carb-heavy foods. Part of my lifestyle change early on isn’t to fully eliminate those foods, but to slowly cut them out while finding healthier alternatives. It’s something manageable that doesn't add additional stress to an already tumultuous situation.

You also want to give yourself time to see and feel results. It’s easy to become discouraged if you haven’t dropped 15 lbs. right away, or if you don’t see the extra muscle build that you were expecting, but keep at it. Allow your body time to change. You’ll be happier with sticking through it than you would be if you stopped.

See, easy steps. *insert winky and trustworthy face*

Now, if you’re done sitting at your computer or staring at your phone, get started on step one and see where it takes you!

What are 3 adjustments to your lifestyle that would be easy for you to make and sustain?
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