Welcome to the world of wellness. I am so excited to have you on this journey. There is something so empowering about taking a step to bettering oneself, and I am proud of you for taking that leap. It can feel overwhelming at times, but, trust me, you got this! And to help you out, here are a few “DOs and DON’Ts” to help incorporate wellness into your routine as a true and long-lasting addition to your lifestyle.
Wellness DOs
DO get a physical. There is no better place to start a wellness journey than at your physician’s office. Understanding exactly where you are physically allows you to start a routine confidently and gives you additional information to help monitor progress along the way.
DO try new things. How do you know what you like if you don’t try it? I know if my exercise routine consisted of only running, I would not exercise much. Running is not my thing and that is okay. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to try new things and find a few things you like. The variety gives you an opportunity to challenge your body in new ways and helps you to not plateau.
DO get an accountability partner. Everything is more fun with friends! Whether you hire a trainer, meet a friend at the gym, or text each other pictures of your workout, it is easier to be consistent when you know that someone is going to be checking in on you.
DO rest and Rejuvenate. You earned it and you need it. Never taking a day off means your body never has the time to recover. Although it sounds like a great idea to work out every day, not giving your body time to rest or your muscles an opportunity to rebuild can be counterproductive.
Wellness DON’Ts
DON’T let your ego lead the way. The worst thing you can do is let your ego be the driver of your workout. There is always someone who will be lifting more, running faster, or jumping higher. If you turn your wellness into a competition, you take the joy out of the journey. Always remember — your race, your pace!
DON’T let your fear control you. I get it. It can be really intimidating to walk into the gym for the first time or to try to go for your first run, but if you never start, you will never change. Take advantage of all the free information that is out there to get tips for training, workouts, and even how to use gym equipment.
DON’T forget to stretch. It feels like a win just to get through a workout, but the real work is in the cool down. Stretching is an often overlooked but critical portion of the workout process. It has so many health benefits and can decrease the chances of getting injured.
DON’T “go hard or go home.” We hear this all the time, but you should be afraid to start slow and work your way up. If you come in too hot, you will likely get burned out or injured. And though physical injuries are tough, the mental beatdown of feeling like a failure because you aren’t able to sustain that level of effort is not worth it. Take your time. There is no true end goal. This is a forever journey and it takes time.
Check out our Guide to Fitness, Wellness & Self-Care and kickstart your wellness journey into high gear!
