Getting Started

As I was sitting here with this blank text box in front of me, waiting for me to write something amazing, something inspiring or, you know, just something, it occurred to me that this is what it feels like when you start anything new.  It's hard!  You have all these dreams or expectations or goals, but right now you've got nothing but a blank screen.  So where in the world do you start?

Well, if we're talking about fitness - and thankfully, I am - I actually have an answer:  start where you are.  The first step is to take a hard, honest look at where you are right now and then go from there.  Pick one thing that you can do right now and that you feel pretty confident about doing consistently for weeks or even months and then do that one thing.  It certainly doesn't need to be something big.  In fact, doing something sort of small is a better idea because you'll be more inclined to keep doing it.  (Need some ideas?  Try one of these:  drink a big glass of water, eat an apple, do five pushups, go for a walk, serve your dinner on a salad plate, or dust off your bike and go for a ride.) 

The next step is to make a big deal about it!  Seriously, feel proud of yourself and tell somebody who supports you about it.  It's awesome that you're on the road to good health and having a friend on your side will make this journey a lot easier.  Having trouble finding somebody who cares that you've had a big glass of water?  Leave a comment here - I'll be your cheerleader!

And then?  Well, here's where it gets a little tougher, but this is also why we chose something small and simple in step one:  REPEAT.  Make that apple a daily habit and don't worry about doing anything more complicated or scary until you're ready.  One of the quickest ways to sabotage your success is to tackle too many changes at once, which gets overwhelming, which then leads to doing nothing at all.  

Ready to get started??  Tell me about your success:  what small thing did you choose to do?