When I first got into health and fitness, I went all in. I was motivated, eager to make a change, and honestly a little naïve. Over time, I’ve learned a lot – mostly by trial and error. If I could sit down with my past self over a coffee, here are five things I’d gently share – things that might have saved me a lot of confusion, burnout, and frustration.
- Follow a Plan (Even a Simple One)
At the start, I’d often make up my own workouts. I didn’t want to spend money on a training plan or personal trainer. I was a broke student, so it felt like a luxury I couldn’t justify. So instead, I cobbled together random exercises from Instagram, YouTube, or whatever equipment was free at the gym that day. It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I definitely wasted a lot of time. It also lead me to compare myself to other people in an unhealthy way
It wasn’t until about two years into my health and fitness journey, after hitting a long plateau that I decided to invest (nothing crazy here, I’m talking $50) in a proper training plan. And I honestly wish I’d done it sooner. It gave me structure, direction and a sense of progression that I had been missing. You don’t have to spend a fortune, there are plenty of affordable or even free programs out there, but having some kind of plan, whether it’s Couch to 5K, a basic full body strength program split, or a structured yoga flow, can be a total game-changer.
2. Fueling Your Body Is Not the Same as Eating Clean
When I first started working out five to six days a week, I slimmed down fast. But I also wasn’t eating enough. I fell into the “clean eating” trap lots of salads, grilled chicken and cutting out anything remotely indulgent. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was constantly tired, cold and moody I didn’t realise I was under-fuelling.
Looking back, I probably would have felt (and performed) so much better if I had simply focused on fueling my body. These days, I follow more of an 80/20 approach mostly whole, nourishing foods, and some fun stuff in there too. Once I started eating to support my training, I enjoyed the process a lot more and injuries became less frequent, too.
3. Small Steps Are the Most Sustainable
My approach at the start was very “go hard or go home.” I went from no workouts to five+ days a week, and from never thinking about food to suddenly tracking everything and obsessing over sleep and supplements. It was a lot.
I’ve since learned that if something changes too quickly, it probably won’t stick. One question I now ask myself is: “Could I maintain this on a busy week?” If the answer is no, it’s probably too much. If I could do it all over again, I’d build one habit at a time. I’d have nailed my nutrition first, then add in gym sessions three times per week and only if that was manageable, I’d focus on sleep and daily steps etc. The slow and steady approach isn’t glamorous, but it’s so much more sustainable.
4. Take Progress Photos (Yes, Really)
I used to roll my eyes at progress photos. I didn’t want to be that person. And honestly, I didn’t want to see myself in that way either. But I wish I had.
It’s so hard to see change when you’re looking at yourself in the mirror every day. Photos help you notice things you wouldn’t otherwise – posture changes, muscle tone, even just the way you carry yourself. You don’t need to share them with anyone, but trust me, your future self will thank you for having those little snapshots to look back on and remind you of how far you’ve come.
5. Your Fitness Journey Will Evolve – Embrace It
At first, I loved the gym. I was lifting weights regularly and seeing strength gains, and it was exciting. But a few years in, I started to lose the spark. I found myself going through the motions, and my motivation dipped.
Instead of forcing it, I let myself pivot. These days, I’m much more focused on running, and I mix in the gym and some yoga to support my running performance. I’ve learned that fitness isn’t meant to look the same forever, especially when its apart of your lifestyle and you actually want to do it for as long as you can! Our goals, preferences and lifestyle will shift, and that’s not a sign we’re failing. It’s a sign that we’re growing. Don’t be afraid to mix things up when you get bored, your routine should support your life, not drain it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I’ve also learned what works for me. If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been at it for a while, maybe something here will resonate. Your health and fitness journey doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours. Be kind to yourself, stay curious and don’t be afraid to evolve.
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