Questions From the Fitness Mailbag

This week I thought I’d answer a couple of questions I hear all the time.

"How does a person begin to work out when you have absolutely no clue as to what to do or where (or even how) to start?"

This is a great question!

There’s so much information out there (much of it is garbage) that people get confused, which usually keeps them from doing anything at all! Many people in the fitness industry sell lots of stuff by making fitness seem complicated. Unfortunately, normal, busy people are the victims. It shouldn’t be this way.

The key is just keeping it simple. It doesn’t take all that much to feel a little better or more energetic.

Schedule a short walk 2-3 times per week. Go to a dance class. Pickleball is all the rage. If none of these things appeals to you, search for a trainer and find someone that connects with you. If you don’t want to hire a trainer, drop me a line, and I’ll recommend a book.

It comes down to finding an activity you enjoy and just doing it. Yes. It really is that simple. And the more you do it, the more you’ll figure out more about yourself, things you like and dislike, and how fitness can take all sorts of forms.

Just keep this one thing in mind:

The most important thing to focus on for the first month is being consistent.

Read that last sentence again and let me know if you have any questions.

"Negotiating a back injury and aging into an effective routine has been a problem. I haven’t found my groove, and I desperately want to feel better about my body and health."

Injuries can make things difficult for many reasons, not the least of which is the fear of making it worse. Oftentimes, the worst part about an injury isn’t the injury itself but our reaction to it.

As in the previous question, the key is to keep it simple. If you have an injury, consult your doctor, and know that it’s imperative to focus on your basic movement and posture.

If you want to find your groove, read my answer to Jay’s questions above and then figure out your schedule and decide how much time you will devote to some exercise.

Notice I said, “will devote to some exercise,” not “can devote.” You must be 100 percent honest with yourself about what you will do, even if it’s only once a week for 15 minutes. The worst thing you can do is tell yourself you’ll do something four times a week and then not be able to follow through.

A good mindset is crucial. Remember, you’re looking for progress and a way to build sustainable habits.

The answers to both questions are a little different for everyone, but the principles are always the same. Simplicity and sustainability.