This is your year to get fit! Here are a few tips to help you get started.

• Set a regular time for exercise. Decide how many days a week you want to work out, and then choose a time. What works best for your schedule? It could be early mornings, mid-day, or late nights. Establishing a routine will aid in creating a healthy habit. I work out early in the mornings before getting my kids ready for school. This gives me a chance to do something for me before I am met with the demands of the day. I also pray, read, and meditate during this time. It has become such an integral part of my life that I feel “off” if I miss my morning routine. It helps to set the tone for my day. Working out is my form of self-care.
• Make your journey about more than a number on a scale. I will admit, the scale is not my friend. If you are working out, and seeing no changes, or only small changes on the scale, that can become very discouraging. The scale doesn’t tell the entire story. There are internal changes that are not acknowledged, such as heart health, increased energy, and those feel-good endorphins that come along with working out. Make your health a priority. You only get one temple!
• Take photos of your progress. A picture is worth a thousand words. The scale may not be moving as much as you’d like, but the appearance of your body, and the way your clothes fit can become another way to gauge your progress. Muscle weighs more than fat. You could actually be slimming down, but the number on the scale won’t reflect that.
• Find an accountability partner. Like-minded individuals can help keep you on track. Find a friend or family member who is also looking to get in shape. Find a few days during the week to work out together. Hold each other accountable. If you can’t find time to work out together, send a text, or do a daily check-in to keep each other encouraged. Online fitness groups are also a great source of support. The group can also provide vital information and tips as you embark on this new journey. You don’t have to go at it alone! 
• Don’t expect perfection. You may have a burger and fries. You may miss a workout. Did you eat out when you said you wouldn’t? Maybe time management was an issue if you weren’t able to meal prep. Identify what caused the setback and do better moving forward. Don’t throw the entire day away if you slip up early in the day. I have been guilty of just eating whatever I wanted for the rest of the day and saying I will get back on it tomorrow. I quickly had to change this thought process. I still had the rest of the day to get it right. Don’t be defeated. Get back on track as soon as possible.
• Resilience is key. Learning how to bounce back if things don’t go according to plan is paramount in fitness. This journey is filled with highs and lows. Harsh self-talk and beating yourself up if you have a setback will not benefit you. Forgive yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Some of us are trying to change years of habits that may not serve us well as we move forward with our pursuit of living a better life. THIS IS A PROCESS! Change doesn’t happen overnight. Hang in there and celebrate all of your success along the way. Be proud of every goal you accomplish, no matter how small it may seem. Small steps can lead to huge success! I am routing for you.

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Chana