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Amid this pandemic, it is important to remember to stay safe, healthy, and physically fit. Karla Rodriguez from the podcast MetafitMetamind, gave me more insight of the importance of staying active and physically challenging yourself. The impact of working out has several positive outcomes, as it affects your personal and professional lives; however, it is not always easy to make a commitment to your body as it is to meet a deadline at work.
Goals & Decisions
Your fitness journey, as Karla mentioned, is about having a conversation with yourself as to why you want to get started. Before you decide to start on any diet and workout plan, it is essential to have a goal. Ask yourself why you need or want to get started. This can range from issues with your work or personal life, to any mental factors that may contribute to your decision to get physically fit. With a plan in place, you are more likely to reach your goals and be more satisfied with the work and effort you put into your plan. In my discussion with Karla, there were four components that were constantly brought up in meeting a fitness goal, which are: staying on schedule, eating habits, managing days off, and working around busy schedules.
Creating a Schedule
One of the most critical aspects of starting a fitness journey is creating a schedule and sticking to it. Don’t be afraid to go big on your goals, such as going to the gym or working out at home five days a week when in reality you will be doing so three to four days. That is not considered a fail, but a kind reminder that you are slowly working your way to that five-day mark. It is also important to outline your day. Establish the days that you can workout and push aside anything that keeps you from getting there to another time.
Eating Habits
The second topic was eating habits. Most people have a general idea that to lose weight, build muscle, etc. you will need to eat healthy. This is a great way to challenge yourself on what you eat and how you feel when you work out. Also keep in mind that if you eat a burger or any other unhealthy food, you will have to put in double the work. As Karla said “be specific where you want to see yourself and how you want to feel.” Everyone has different goals and it’s not healthy to compare your progress to someone else’s.
Days Off
The third component was how to use your days off to your advantage. For some people, a day off can be one of the most difficult aspects. Sure, you will want to reward yourself, but be careful in deciding what you want to eat and how it will impact your progress. There are a number of ways you can get around to eating that unhealthy food, such as reading a book, walking your pet, or going for a drive. Remember that fitness can be fun, if you don’t like something, then try something else. Afterall, as long as you trust your intuition, you will be doing just fine.
Battling Discouragement
Lastly, the fourth factor is working around a busy schedule. At one point in your life, you will find yourself leading a busier life. This might discourage you from engaging in a fitness life; owever, there are twenty-four hours in a day. Try to allocate, if possible, ten to fifteen minutes a day to yourself, whether it is to listen to music, or have a quiet moment to yourself. This time should be used for your personal growth. This is a great place to practice your mindset and learn to step away from what you are doing, even if it is just for a couple of minutes. As Karla so eloquently put it, “if your mindset is not okay, then your body will feel it.”
About the writer Karen Fuentes
Karen Fuentes is a senior at CSUF majoring in Business Marketing. She loves to hike and spend late nights at the beach.
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