The journey to getting and staying fit can seem like a long one. Every year, people set out on New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and get fit, only to find that they’ve fallen off the wagon and back into bad habits a few weeks or even months later. These bad habits can include eating unhealthy foods, drinking too much, smoking, skipping out on workouts, and generally being a bad person.

If you have decided to start again with your fitness journey, are you sure that you will be able to stick to it until you achieve your goals? Well, if you are really determined, this time things could be way better than the last time. Additionally, if you really enjoy working out, you can take this journey further by making a career out of it. Although, it might be necessary to take a few courses or become certified before you can become a coach in the fitness industry. There are various training programs available, such as a yoga or pilates instructor course, that can be taken online or offline, depending on your interests.

That said, here are some helpful tips that will help you make the most of your fitness journey:

• Start small. Sometimes it can feel like you need all the time to get fit, but the truth is, you can start small, and it’s much better that way. As a new fitness enthusiast, it’s easy to expect to lose a lot of weight right away. When you work hard for a short period of time, you often end up burning out, and when that happens, it’s easy to stop trying. If you start small, though, you’ll be able to stick to your plan and see your fitness journey through to the end.
• Create a training plan whether you’re using it at the gym or at home. While you may have a specific goal in mind, starting off with a training plan, chalked out by a professional trainer like the ones at Generation Fit, could be a great way to start on the journey to being in a good shape. Whether your goal is to lose weight, train for a marathon, or just have more endurance; a training plan can help you reach your fitness goals.
• Stay focused. Although everyone has a different reason for coming to the gym, staying focused is universal. The gym can be full of distractions that pull people away from their goals.
• When it comes to exercise, motivation is key. After all, we are all human, and starting and sticking to a long-term fitness plan can be hard. But you don’t have to go it alone. Start by picking a specific goal. “I want to lose 20 pounds” is fine, but it might be too vague. Instead, say, “I want to lose 20 pounds by June 30.” Or “I want to lose 20 pounds by my birthday,” or “I want to lose 20 pounds before I go on vacation.” The possibilities are endless!
• Don’t hesitate to purchase that fitness gear. Fitness trackers have surged in popularity in recent years, and if you’re someone who has always struggled to exercise regularly or just wants to take your lifestyle to the next level, it’s probably time to try one. Fitness trackers and fitness apps such as Fitbit apps, wearable tech, and smartwatches have become incredibly popular. With good reason, they make keeping track of your health and activity data easy and can also monitor your sleeping patterns.
• Ensure that you sleep well. It is prudent that you get a good night’s sleep during your fitness journey. Sleep, undoubtedly, plays a crucial role in muscle recovery, thereby enabling your body to repair and rebuild tissues after exercise. It also encourages hormonal balance, including the release of growth hormones that aid in muscle development. Quality sleep improves cognitive function, motivation, and focus and contributes to better workout performance. On the other hand, inadequate sleep can result in accumulating fatigue, hindered recovery, reduced muscle gains, and compromised athletic performance. That said, if sleep proves elusive, there are alternative approaches to consider. For instance, exploring cannabis products like weed or bubble hash might prove fruitful. Some places have options that are more economically feasible than others. Arizona’s weed prices might be different from California’s, so keep that in mind when choosing your substances. But overall, they can promote relaxation and tranquility, facilitating improved sleep.
• Find friends that are also working on their fitness journey. When life gets busy, it’s easy to neglect your fitness routine. But, it’s important to make time to exercise. One way to make it more enjoyable is to make it a social activity. Make physical activity a regular thing and try to seek out friends who also want to get fit and stay healthy. Get a group of friends together to walk, run, bike, or swim. Chances are, others in your social circle also want to get in shape. The use of social media would be a great way to locate people with similar interests. In case you are not on any social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat, you might want to get started as soon as possible. To find people with similar interests, you only need a wifi connection (see this article for how to get wifi in an apartment), create an account, and you’re good to go.
• Try something new. If you’ve hit a plateau with your fitness routine, maybe it’s time to try a new routine. Trying something new-like riding a bike, yoga, or CrossFit-can leave you feeling more motivated to hit your goals. The key is to push yourself out of your comfort zone since that’s where the best results happen. Whether taking a class or trying a new fitness program, the exercise will get your blood moving and your mind working. Plus, it’ll keep boredom at bay.

Exercise regularly and be patient! Working out isn’t supposed to be easy all the time. You shouldn’t expect perfection. Aim for consistency, not perfection. Overtraining can be a serious setback. By working out consistently, you’ll reap the benefits over time. One of the ways to get the most out of a fitness journey is by working up to a challenging goal. Setting a goal and working toward it is an important motivator and can help you push yourself to reach your fitness goals. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Trust the process, and you’ll achieve your fitness goals.