The Noob Guide to Getting in Shape

It takes a lot of courage to admit to yourself that it’s time to start getting back in shape. Giving up is easy, what’s difficult is finding the desire and motivation to get back or to start working out. So, congrats to you for taking that first step.

Currently, 60 percent of Australians are trying to lose weight. According to experts, it has a lot to do with the stigma around size. But there is more to getting back in shape than just losing weight for the sake of looking good.

Being in good shape offers many benefits from physical to mental and emotional as well. However, it takes more than just a will to get in better shape. It takes persistence, tenacity, and commitment.

If you’re a noob to all this exercising and getting back in shape, there are some things you need to know.

Why do you want to get in shape?

The first step to getting back in shape is knowing exactly what motivates you to do so. For some people, it’s about losing weight and getting ready for summer, for others it’s health-related reasons, whatever your reason, it should be your driver, a motivator that keeps you going.

It’s usually this reason that makes us keep exercising even when we feel like throwing a towel and when we’re having a bad day. So, the first step on your getting in shape journey should be listing all the reasons why you want to get fit and always keeping them in mind.

Set realistic goals

After having all your reasons listed, it’s time to set realistic goals. This is especially important if you’re only just starting your fitness journey. Setting large unrealistic goals can be counterproductive because as a beginner you can’t expect to see the results in a couple of weeks. 

As a noob, your fitness journey will be a bit longer. This is precisely why you should set small, yet realistic and attainable goals. Start with 30-minute workouts per day or an hour of workouts three days a week.

If you aren’t sure how to start or how to organize your workouts, the best solution would be hiring a personal trainer. There are many personal trainers in Sydney that can help you create a plan, motivate you, and help you achieve your goals.

Don’t compare yourself to others

Looking for motivation online and reading other people’s fitness stories can be a good way to motivate and inspire yourself. However, it can also be a trap – especially if you start comparing your progress to other people’s fitness progress. 

We’re all different, our bodies are unique and there is absolutely no need to compare yourself to other people. Comparison can only distract you from your goals and the reasons why you started this journey in the first place.

Change your eating habits

After sorting out all the mental barriers, it’s time to look at other things as well. If your goal is to get in shape, you need to change your eating habits. Nutrition plays a big role in getting in shape as well.

If you’ve had unhealthy eating habits, it’s time to cut them down. Of course, you’re first thought will be dieting, but that too is a bad idea. When working out, you need to find a balanced diet and eat everything but in moderation.

Try to eat smaller size meals and eat portion amounts appropriate for your body. You’ll also need to track your calorie intake in order to adjust your food portions. If all this seems daunting, don’t worry there is a solution for that, too. A nutritionist can help you out and develop an appropriate meal plan.

Drink more water

In addition to a balanced diet, you’ll also need to stay hydrated. Proper hydration is the key to staying healthy and losing weight. Water helps us flush out all the toxins from our bodies and it also boosts our immune system. 

Many times when you’re reaching for a snack, it’s because you’re thirsty, not hungry. So, instead of eating, drink a glass of water and you’ll feel better. Also, before meals, drink a glass of water and you won’t need to eat as much as you did before. This is because water acts as an appetite suppressant, it takes space in the stomach and in that way reduces hunger.

Additionally, water increases calorie burning and it may also increase the number of calories burned while resting. So, don’t forget to drink more water!

Get a good night’s sleep

Another easy thing that can help you get back in shape is a good night’s sleep. Yes, you’ve read that right. Getting enough sleep helps you feel well-rested and energized. People who don’t get enough sleep, apart from having trouble working out, risk many health problems.

So, what you should do is go to sleep around the same time every night, don’t spend too much time staring at your phone or laptop, don’t drink caffeine before bed, and never work out late in the evening. 

Change up your daily routine

Sometimes changing the small things throughout our day can also be the right step towards getting in better shape. For example, instead of driving to work, take your bike or walk.

If you need to use your car, then park farther away from your office or the grocery store. Instead of using the elevator, use the stairs, walk your dog a bit further every day, and so on.

Just small little changes, a few extra steps can make a world of difference when you’re trying to get back in shape.

Discover workouts you love doing

Many times doing exercises seems like an unpleasant chore. This is also one of the biggest reasons why people give up working out – because they hate the workouts.

Finding a workout you actually like and enjoy doing can make a huge difference. When you love what you’re doing it doesn’t seem like a chore. And above all, you’ll be motivated to keep it up.

So, explore all the possibilities, find something you enjoy doing and you won’t have a problem committing to it.

Don’t give up just because you don’t see the results

Don’t expect to see results after only two or three workouts. Don’t even expect them after a month of working out, and don’t get disappointed and discouraged because of that either. 

If you’re a beginner or you’ve just gotten back to working out, your journey will take time. You’re less likely to see results soon after you’ve started working out. 

However, that doesn’t mean that what you’re doing is in vain and that you should give up. Quite the contrary, it means that you should keep going and that you’ll see results in time.

Be kind to yourself

When getting back to exercising, it’s important to listen to your body and not overdo it. Give yourself a break, don’t push yourself to do something that you just can’t. 

You’re only getting back to working out, start by building the foundation of good habits and then slowly add more and more. 

And don’t forget to be patient and take a breather whenever you need it!

The first step is always the hardest one. This is especially true for all of you trying to get back in shape. And then it starts getting better, you start creating a routine, and suddenly working out starts being a part of your everyday life.