Hi friends,

It’s been nearly 3 months since the New Year, and if you’re like most, you set goals and resolutions that have fallen by the wayside. One of the most common resolutions people make each year is to get in better shape and workout more often.

It’s simple in theory, but why can’t most people follow through with their goals? Many patients that I work with say they would like to get in better shape, but haven’t taken the steps to get started.

Oftentimes I think people set the bar too high for themselves. They think that they need to find the perfect gym, get new workout clothes, and find a meal prep service. When in reality, all they need to do is find a gym and workout program that is good enough to get going in the right direction.

Getting started is the hardest part. Once you get the ball rolling, it’s a lot easier to keep it going. This is why lowering the bar can lead to better long-term success when it comes to fitness and health resolutions.

Instead of trying to start exercising for 60 minutes 3 times a week, try going for a 10-minute walk a few times a week. Or if you want to add muscle and get stronger, start with 2 weight-lifting sessions that last no longer than 25 minutes each. Once you get in the habit of working out, it becomes a part of your identity, and then you can sift through the nuance of exercise programming.

I first started working out consistently about 6 years ago, and have been able to do some sort of exercise nearly every day since then. When I first started, I did not enjoy going to the gym. I had no clue what I was doing, and I felt intimidated by all the people in the gym and was worried about what they thought about me. But the longer I’ve gone to the gym, the more I realize—no one cares what you’re doing! They’re too busy looking at themselves in the mirror.

Finding a lifting buddy was one of the best things I did when I first started. Luckily, one of my college roommates was an avid lifter who was kind enough to walk me through the basics. Working out with another person is a great way to hold you accountable. Because if you don’t show up to the gym when you planned on going, now you’ve let down both yourself and your friend. If you don’t know a friend who can help you get started, you can look into getting a personal trainer to get you started with a program that aligns with your goals.

There are many days that I don’t feel like going to the gym, but at this point, it’s a part of who I am, and I know that I’ve never regretted going to the gym. Long-term consistency requires an identity change. The goal isn’t to complete a workout, it’s to become one who works out.

Lower the bar for yourself if you’re looking to improve your health. Practice the act of showing up consistently, and then you can delve into the details of what a proper training program might look like.

Until next week,

Kevin