In January, I did a post on Fitness goals and wrote about the importance of starting right and being prepared the day or the night before. 

Today, I wanted to touch on the subject of getting started. The mental battle is often one of the most difficult battles to overcome when it comes to starting exercise or starting a new habit but once you overcome this first hurtle, the road is somewhat easier. 

If you have already started exercising, you may be feeling somewhat tired and sore. A short walk from your home office to the kitchen sends your leg muscles into protest. Don’t stop. Stretch. Take a short walk to stretch it out. But don’t stop. 

If you haven’t start, or don’t remember the last time you started, these tips may help:

1. Set a SMART goal. An example would be, “I will lose 10 pounds by April 20th by running twice a week and eating healthy meals.” Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Sensitive. 
2. Print a picture of yourself (one that you looked best) and put it somewhere visible like the fridge. Find a pair of jeans that you loved, try it in and if it doesn’t fit, use that as motivation. 
3. Make time for your health. There is no greater gift in life than the body that you were given. 
4. Focus on the end goal and why you wanted to embark on this journey in the first place.
5. If you struggle with motivation, join an online community such as sparkpeople or my fitnesspal to help keep you  inspired and  accountable. 
6. Believe in yourself. Everytime a thought comes up and you are telling yourself that you don’t have time or you are too sore, or it’s too cold or hot, take a moment to recognize and entertain those thoughts but don’t let it define or stop you.
7. Don’t overthink it. The more you think and dwell on what you should do, the more likely your mind will talk you out of it. 
8. Just do it. Put on your shoes and go. Your mind will protest the efforts but your body is often ready and willing to get moving. 
9. Share your success with others, on social media or with friends. Even if it was just a 7min exercise or a 30 min walk. 

Challenge yourself to be better in mind and in health. Work on it everyday. Be consistent. Do it because you are worth it.

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