I’m sure we’ve all made the same New Year’s Resolution at one point in our lives- to be more active and get in the gym this year…and sometimes we fall short of those goals. There can be many reasons why we don’t follow up with our promise to ourselves to be more active, but I’m here to encourage you to get out there and set goals for yourself that you will actually achieve!
I’m sure were all aware of the health benefits that come from being active. Whether the goal is to lose weight, be more toned, or even build more muscle, we can all push ourselves safely to be healthier and happier.
I’m guessing some of your excuses as to why you haven’t gone may sound like this:
“But going to the gym is intimidating…” I know it is! I just recently started going to the gym myself and I was terrified of what others would think of me when I got in there. The equipment can be intimidating, and it may look like everyone else there knows exactly what they’re doing, but here’s a little secret, everyone in that gym was in the same place that you are in right now at some point! They were able to push past the scary feeling and better themselves and you can too!
“I don’t know how to use the equipment properly…” The equipment can be a little confusing and if you don’t understand how to use it there is the risk of injury, but there are ways to push through this and feel more comfortable in the gym. Before you head out, try watching videos on how to use the equipment as well as how to be safe while using it. You can find anything on the internet, so there is more than likely a video out there that can help you out. If you’re nervous about doing it alone, then ask a friend if they want to come too! A big part of why people chose not to start working out is because they’re afraid of going alone…you might just have a friend or too who is also interested in going! If you’re really unsure about a piece of equipment, then remember that you don’t have to use heavy weights or confusing machines to be fit. Using your body weight and doing exercises that target specific areas will help you get just as fit as if you were to use a machine.
“I’m afraid of other people watching me and making fun of what I’m doing…” Everyone who is at the gym is working on themselves. They’re probably worried about the same thing. No one is going to watch you or make fun of you when you’re just starting out. They want to work on themselves and care about their own personal progress, not the progress of everyone around them.
Now more than ever we need something positive in our lives to help improve both our mental and physical health. With the pandemic and the stress of school happening in our lives, times can be very stressful and it can begin to take a toll on our wellbeing. Getting active and seeing the results that follow can help with releasing the stress within our lives and help us to see progress in our own physical and mental wellbeing.
Remember, you got this! Set a goal for yourself each time you go to work out. Whether it’s a specific time you want to spend on something, a personal record you want to hit, or even to just have the goal be that you got to the gym and tried! Throw on some headphones, blast upbeat music, and get out there! Get up early in the morning or go late at night when everything is done but make time to be active and become the healthy version of yourself that you want to see!