So, it’s that time of the year again and you’re really wanting to make those big changes to your fitness and overall health, but you find yourself having the same feeling over and over again without any real change. You want it, but you don’t know how to get it, or you’re afraid of failing and how much it’s going to suck in the beginning and notice how I said in the beginning, not the whole time.

Truth is it is going to be hard, but you will adapt and advance. You will be healthier and stronger both mentally and physically If you take that first step and stay on that journey to a healthier you. It’s much easier to remain within the boundaries of where you feel comfortable than it is to face the fear of venturing beyond those boundaries.

But a few things we can do when taking that leap of health are to:

1.) Take that initial first step

“In theory, all you need to do is to take the first step. It will be difficult. The first day at the gym is the worst. The opening line of your story takes the longest time. But as you gain momentum, it is easier to keep moving.” — Deepak Mehta

Starting can sometimes be just as hard as consistency, it can be scary taking that first step but it is the crucial first step that will hopefully lead to the next step and so forth until you become consistent.

2.) Review your Goals (SMART)

Your fitness goal may be too high for you right now, especially if you’re new to exercise. When Starting out you may want to go for maximal goals, but they tend to get overwhelming when you’re not seeing those results that you were expecting and hoping for in the allotted time you had in mind. Instead, focus on “SMART” Goals and run your goals through this checklist.

• Specific: You can clearly identify the what, where and how of the goal you are trying to achieve.
• Measurable: You can make sure that all the changes and progress can clearly be noted.
• Attainable: Your goals should be challenging but doable with good effort.
• Relevant: You’re able to put a lot of focus and energy toward goals that help you to achieve certain outcomes that are highly valued and rewarding.
• Time-bound: You have a realistic timeframe to achieve each goal.

3.) Track Your Progress

Chart your workouts, and what you’re eating, whether you do it digitally or on pen and paper in a fitness journal. Seeing improvements, whether running faster, fatiguing less, or working out more often, makes you want to keep going.

4.) Delete the Guilt

Get real with yourself, you’re going to miss a day or two. If you accept that there will be some side steps throughout your fitness journey, you will be better prepared mentally to deal with setbacks. Don’t let a misstep or being human be an excuse for giving up.

5.) Compete with yourself to maximize your results

Don’t focus on anyone else. Control what you can control. As a former collegiate basketball player, I always thought I was competing against my opponent which in a lot of ways was true, but I learned that I had to compete and win the battle with myself first before I competed against others. Doing this made me stronger and more efficient, I not only grew as an athlete, but my character grew as well.

6.) Join, or start a fitness group

A lot of times working out with other people creates the accountability that we need. Gather a group of friends or a workout buddy and try different routines. Maybe someone you know takes a fitness class that you would also love, or you may have a friend in a running club, but you’ve always been cautious and not ready to leave your comfort zone. But now you have a workout buddy to help ease the nervousness.

Remember “Exercise is Fun”… Most of the time, but honestly the benefits far outweigh any of the cons.

SO LET’S GET MOVING.