Like a lot of things in life, the hardest part is getting started. Tidying up. Exercising. Life admin. Even if we’re really inspired and can visualise in our minds exactly what we really want to achieve, the hardest part is often getting the ball rolling. The same is true for starting your journey to a healthier, fitter lifestyle.

Why I Needed To Make A Change

The first realisation for me that I wanted a more active lifestyle, was literally a light-bulb moment. I had been feeling fed up with my unhealthy habits for a long time, but the moment I got started, it literally felt like a weight had been lifted.

After years of burying my head in the sand and avoiding the root of the issue, I stopped blaming my excess weight on university life, on not having enough hours in the day, on not knowing how to eat healthier, and started by formulating a plan of action. And like most plans in life, I needed to consciously understand my motivation behind WHY I wanted to make a change.

The Benefits Of Personalising Your Own Fitness Journey

There are so many different fitness plans and a wealth of advice out there. But where do you start? And how do you know what will work for you? Understanding that everyone is different, and that by personalising your own fitness journey will give you a greater chance of sticking to your routine I wanted to share my top tips to start your fitness journey so that

Tips To Start Your Fitness Journey

1. Understand Your WHY

I knew that I was not happy with my weight, my lack of energy and my addiction to unhealthy, sugar-laden foods. Yes, enjoying nights out drinking and eating burger and chips in the early hours of the morning was so much fun. But looking back, it came at a cost. Not just financially had I blown a lot of my hard-earned wages, but my body became bloated. Initially, I tried to put it down as just a little extra weight gained here and there. But then I started to feel the effects of my bloated body. I could feel the extra weight in my face, see it in my arms and definitely feel it around my waist. This led me to feel more and more uncomfortable until I would constantly cover my middle with my bag, or my arm – anything to hide this expanding area.

Ironically, looking back, I actually think this draws more attention to the part of you you’re trying to hide, as well as the lack of confidence you have because of this. But the bottom line is: you can try to hide the weight you’ve put on with dark clothing, or sitting a certain way for photos, but if you’re really trying to cover up, the underlying issue is you’re not happy or comfortable in your own skin.

It took me a long time to realise that even though my lifestyle was directly impacting the very body I was growing to dislike, it was ultimately ME that had the very tools to do something about it. I was the one who could stop neglecting myself, and start nourishing my body with nutrient-dense, whole foods. I was the one who could start finding enjoyment in exercise and appreciating every single movement my body is capable of. I was the one who had the tools and ability to make a huge difference. And the same is true for you.

Understand why you’ve made the decision to read this post and ultimately, why you want to make a change.

2. Learn How To Make Changes

Finding your motivation and your drive to make changes is half the battle. Understanding and learning HOW to make those changes is just as important.

Through my own personal experience, creating everyday habits has been one of the greatest tools in my ability to initially lose and now maintain my healthier weight. Every single day, I make sure I have a big bottle of water to drink from, as well as healthy snacks such as Greek yoghurt and chia seeds, or carrot and cucumber sticks. I still enjoy eating a big bag of crisps or chocolate bar, but the difference is I make sure I’m nourishing my body with healthy foods MOST of the time. Getting that balance right has helped reduce my bloating so much, and has enabled me to stick to my ‘happy weight’ that feels comfortable and right for me.

If you’re looking to overhaul your lifestyle, or even if you just want to add in a few healthier changes, I would recommend you start by really thinking about your reasons for wanting to change.

Start Today

Reflect on your day-to-day routine and look at areas where you can make realistic, sustainable changes. Be honest with yourself. If it feels overwhelming, start by adding in one small factor to your day.

• Are you drinking enough water? Could you add in one extra glass today?
• Are you moving your body enough at work? Could you walk and take the stairs instead of the lift?

As difficult as it can be making changes in your lifestyle, creating smaller, sustainable habits can actually make the greatest difference, and make the whole process less overwhelming.

If you have any suggestions on how you factor in healthier habits, I’d love to hear them! Let me know on the comments below or tag me on Instagram @amy.lee.jackson