5 Things I learnt when I went back to the gym

So, it’s actually started… I’m talking about fitness!! I honestly never thought I’d ever find myself writing a post like this, but here we are. Let’s just embrace it?

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I love, love, love the feeling of smashing a good workout, and I wanted to encourage any other newbies to get involved. However life is all about balance and I don’t want you to all be fooled even now I have days when I’d rather leap out the window than head to the gym, but I’m FINALLY getting somewhere, I’m seeing small improvements.

1.No one cares. I realised the other day that I literally never notice what anyone else is up to in the gym. I’m far too concerned with getting through that last few reps without collapsing and having one of the fittie PTs start the defibrillator, than looking around and lolling at someone using the equipment wrong. Seriously, you could be juggling with barbells and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.If you’re worried about looking like an obvious newb, trust me on this one – no one cares. No one judges you for whatever you’re doing, everyone is busy doing their own gym thang. Even the muscle dudes.I think we all probably remember starting out, so there’s no mean-spiritedness. I never compare myself to anyone else, or judge someone else’s abilities. We all gotta start somewhere!

2. I literally had to pay someone to get me going. Getting a personal trainer was one of the best things I’ve done with my time and money. If you’re new to working out, I highly recommend doing a couple of sessions with a PT. Its pricy but worth it, TRUST me!For me, it was all about confidence – I was finally able to walk in to the gym and feel like I was meant to be there. I understood the machines, knew what weights I could manage and even had enough knowledge to put together little workouts myself. I think I would have given up on exercise long ago if it wasn’t for my PT!

3. Exercise does wonders for your mental health. I used to be fuelled with endless cups of coffee and have all this excess energy and it would end up with me overthinking everything and feeling down, all. the. time.
Now, I head to the gym at the first signs of any self-doubt, and the endorphins pick me up… either that or I’m too tired to care. It’s really set me free from feeling horrendous day after day.

4.Working out makes you want to live better. I’m really surprised at how much fitness changed my attitude to food; I’ve always been a good eater, but I definitely snacked a lot more – usually on sugar and other bad food.Now, instead of feeling guilty for eating rubbish, and then giving up on my healthy eating plan altogether, I tell myself not to feel bad for it, that I worked it off already this week and to keep going with my healthy lifestyle thang. Once the guilt was gone, the sugary snacks weren’t so appealing anymore and I was able to pretty much cut them out!

5.You have to do it for you. One thing I’ve found really works with fitness is to set yourself goals, but also have fun with it. Sometimes I jump on the treadmill and just run – not counting down the meters, just running for fun and my health.Exercise isn’t just about losing weight for me anymore, it’s something that helps me in so many ways – from getting a better sleep at night, to feeling happier and living better. I had started to feel upset when I couldn’t get through more reps than last week, and it was so off-putting. Now, I tell myself that as long as I’m moving, I’m doing good! Sometimes you have to take the pressure off a little

 

 

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4 Comments

  1. Miriam
    13th October 2016 / 4:18 pm

    Love it Lyds! Miss our gym sessions Xx

    • Lydia White
      Author
      13th October 2016 / 6:05 pm

      Thanks Mim 🙂 Miss them too!! XXX

  2. Grace
    11th January 2017 / 10:40 pm

    I loved this!! So good to be reminded of these little things just before I head back to the gym for new year’s!

    • Lydia White
      Author
      12th January 2017 / 11:17 am

      Go for it GRACIE!!!

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