When you think of losing weight, exercising is usually the first thing that comes to mind, along with dieting most of the time. Obviously this is for a reason, exercise plays a huge role in weight loss. Here we will discover a couple of things you should know when you want to start exercising for weight loss.

always start small

When you haven’t exercised in years and suddenly want to start hitting the gym five days a week, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Not only does your muscles need to build slowly, but your mind also needs to get used to your new routine and make it a habit. Therefore, it’s a better idea to start by exercising one or two days a week and stick to light exercises throughout the week. Yoga or walking can be a great place to start building some muscle and improving your fitness.

You need to plan your training sessions

I don’t know how this works for you, but if I don’t plan something, then it doesn’t happen. This also applies to exercises, you need to create a plan that fits your schedule and stick to it. You should also make it yourself as easy as possible. This means that you take off your workout clothes before you go to bed, or even sleep in them. This could also mean that you work out at home or choose a gym that is close to your home or work.

Don’t try to make it perfect

Trust me, you’re not always going to stick to your schedule perfectly. Some days you won’t find the time or you just don’t feel it. You could give up your entire ride because you failed once, but it’s not much better to go harder the next day. Use your failures to remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing and don’t let them get you down.

learn to persist

When you start out on your fitness journey, you are highly motivated, but this initial motivation will slowly fade. Many people stop trying when they lose motivation. If you always give up when it’s getting hard, you can never achieve anything. So, switch things up this time and persist a little longer to make exercise a habit, before you know it you’ll have lost all the weight and gained muscle.

Find a workout you love

The only way you will stick to your routine is when you love what you are doing. Don’t force yourself to go to the gym when you totally hate it, maybe you’re more of a runner. Or when you despise having to go out into the cold for a run, then an indoor yoga session might be more your thing. I promise there is something for you too, you just need to find it.

Find the motivation within you

Exercising because you promised your wife, or because you want to be skinny, is not the best motivation in the world. Sure, it will work for the first few weeks, but it won’t last long. You need a motivation that comes from within, like feeling happy or improving your health. That kind of motivation will last a lifetime.

Fitness is a personal journey where I can tell you everything I want, but you are the one that will need to do the work. There are no shortcuts to health, you will have to work. So don’t wait any longer, start today if you can. Getting started is half the job, so buy a workout book, go out and buy some new workout gear, or create your workout schedule for the next week. Now all I can do for you is hope you follow my advice and wish you the best of luck on your fitness journey.