#fitfam #fitnation #fitness…you’ve probably seen those hashtags and rolled your eyes at them. Or maybe your curiosity got the best of you and you checked it out, only for you to be tensioned with all the sculpted and toned men and women that look like they have workouts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You once had that goal to be fit too; you signed up at the gym, bought some salad ingredients and even workout gear. You did all that you’ve seen others do but your own six-pack is still playing hide-and-seek with you. So you let yourself fall off the wagon and you convince yourself that you just have big bones or this fitfam life isn’t for you.
What if I tell you that being fit is not about numbers on the scale, what clothes size you wear, or how many of your muscles you can count while you’re naked? What if I tell you it’s not about what others are doing, but how you’re doing? A comparison between what you achieved last month to how you’re doing today? On that note, I’ll share some of the reasons I’ve heard for people quitting the journey and my opinions on them.
“I’ve tried working out but I never lose weight”
Working out is only about 30% of being fit. The other 70% is the food; yes, you are what you eat. So, if you’re working out but then topping it off with unhealthy food, then you’re on a long thing. Conversely, if you’re working out and not eating enough, your body might be going into starvation mode, storing up the calories instead of burning them. Try to eat small meals 5-6 times a day, snacks inclusive, and plan your meals so you’re getting all your nutrients in, including the good fats.
“I find it boring to work out”
Yes, I agree, pounding away on that treadmill sometimes feels like punishment but there are all other alternatives to try. There are the traditional options like cycling, swimming, skipping/jump rope, playing sports like football or basketball, or even jogging/walking outdoors instead. And for those that are more adventurous, you could try dance-based workouts, martial arts, pole fitness, capoeira, and CrossFit; yoga will get you in shape too. In addition, if you don’t enjoy working out alone, you could try taking group classes.
“I like to enjoy my food but eating healthy is just boring”
Why eat ‘rabbit food’ when there’s some jollof rice that needs eating. I’ve got good news for you; being fit does not mean you have to suffer. You can eat the same things you always have but substitute some of the ingredients for healthier options and/or change the cooking method. For example, you could bake/grill instead of fry, and using applesauce instead of butter when baking cakes/muffins will have them just as moist, maybe even more so. If you’re short of recipes, just check out Google or Instagram (yaay for hashtags) and be inspired.
“I’m too old to try”
But you’re still alive and breathing so yes, you can make changes. Ernestin Shephard is a 79-year-old woman with a 30-something-year-old body. She started her journey in her late 50s…and it’s not just her, there are many others. And before you start with “who am I doing shakara for?” remember, it’s your body, your health, your fitness. It’s all about you; compliments from others are just an added bonus.
“I’ll look sick if I work out or lose weight”
No, you’ll be in the best shape of your life. Although, for those who are on the XXL side, losing weight too quickly could cause the skin to sag. Our skins are elastic so pace yourself and it will eventually catch up.
“I’m too busy with life to work out”
Yeah, but if there’s no you, the world will still keep turning, and all those things you’re busy with will still get done. A ten to fifteen-minute workout each day is better than having none. Moreover, you can grab your workouts where you can and have fun with it. Do calf raises while in a queue; get in ten squats every time you have a bathroom break; use the stairs instead of the elevators; add some ankle weights while doing house chores to really push yourself. See, you’re already working out.
“I’ve hurt myself working out before and it’s not worth it”
Common causes of exercise injuries are not stretching properly before and after working out, and having the incorrect form when exercising. Give yourself three to five minutes at both ends of your workout to properly warm up, stretch, and cool down. You also want to make sure that you’re doing the exercises in the correct form. Watch videos online or speak with your trainer. If you’ve already been hurt, make sure you get an all-clear from your physician before getting back on the grind. Alternatively, swimming is a great low-impact sport that works out your whole body.
“I don’t work out because when I stop, my muscles turn into fat”
Did you know that you cannot turn muscle into fat? The typical body structure is bone, wrapped with muscle, padded with fat, and all covered by the skin. When you work out, the muscles grow, and adding some cardio into your workout routines will help burn the fat, to give you a more svelte physique. When you don’t work out, the muscles atrophy, and if you eat unhealthily, that padding of fat increases. Show your muscles some love today and let them grow!
This is not to call anyone out, or to judge you; I’d just like to change your perspective a little. Being fit is for your own benefit and it should be less about what you weigh and more about how you feel. Listen to your body and make the decision to be a healthier you. Fitness is not a phase or yet another trend. It’s a lifelong journey of self-improvement that you should enjoy…and don’t forget to hashtag. You never know, your journey might inspire someone else’s.
differentshadesofbrown 