01/05/2021
🤷🏼♂️ WTF is “fitness” anyway? (𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳: 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯)
Years ago when I started to focus on my health and fitness, I fell into the trap thinking “fitness” was measured by the number on the scale, how much I could lift, or how fast I could run (while only eating salad.) Have you ever felt this way?
Everywhere you look, especially this time of year, we’re bombarded with ads about what we should look like and how we should feel or perform to be “fit.” As a fitness professional I’ve been guilty of contributing to this noise. Over the years I have learned various truths to what actually matters in getting lasting results and living a truly happy “fit” lifestyle.
- Get enough sleep (and quality of it) to help recovery and hormones
- Free of aches and pains. Being sore or in pain 24/7 is not normal, or fun
- Variety. Different types of movement/stimulation that make me feel good, like stretching, yoga, or trying a new class for the novelty / fun factor.
- Community! Connecting with like minded people and sharing experiences, regardless of “fitness level” As humans we crave connection, so finding a coach or a workout community can be positive for your mental health!
- Relationships. I’ve been guilty of being so focused on working out and looking a certain way, I neglected spending time with friends or loved ones. Share your goals with your friends/partners so they can support you or engage in activity with you! Notice when you’re neglecting one area of your life and tipping the scale too far in one direction.
- Comparison kills. You’ll never be happy if you’re always trying to be like someone else. You never know what struggles that other person was dealing with, or what they’re gifted with.
- Mindset. Life happens. Progress is not linear. Expect ups, downs, and setbacks. How you bounce back, approach life and think about yourself makes all the different in your mental health.
There are countless other aspects that contribute to a healthy fitness lifestyle.
👇🏼Comment below with some areas or aspects that you feel are important contributors to “fitness”