Top 3 Things I Found out on my Journey to Fitness and Wellness

Fitness and wellness are integral parts of our life's journey. Here are 3 things I found out on my journey to fitness and wellness.

Fitness does not have a certain look

Back in my adolescent years, I wished I looked like the slim, lanky girl on the other side of the track. As I entered my teenage years, I coveted the hourglass figure with a tiny waist, narrow shoulders and long slim legs. Like most people, I equated fitness with slimness and thought I could never be fit until I became slim. Every time I thought about fitness, the first thing that came to mind was slimness. So I tried to be fit but I gave up because when I looked in the mirror, the girl I saw was not my definition of a fit girl just because she did not look a certain way.  

It was a major paradigm shift for me when I started my fitness journey 10 years ago. I finally realised that fitness does not have a certain look and one can be slim and be unfit. The outcome of previous fad diets where I lost weight, became unwell and was too weak to carry out daily chores is proof that fitness is not synonymous with slimness. 

I decided to embrace my body type, my height, and my genetics which together make up my physique. I continued exercising regularly and strived to incorporate a healthy diet into my lifestyle. One thing I found is that we can all be fit, strong and healthy irrespective of our physique and that fitness does not have a certain look. So instead of aiming to look like the woman on the other side of the track, I decided to embrace looking like me and focus on becoming the best version of myself. 

Fitness is a journey NOT a destination

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Life is a journey so is fitness. Man is a spirit, has a soul and lives in a body. To function effectively, we need fitness and wellness in all 3 dimensions of our being. 

Regular exercising, healthy nutrition and mindful meditation are key elements of fitness and wellness. Physical exercise is proven to benefit us both bodily, emotionally and psychologically while healthy nutrition is fuel for our bodies. Therefore, fitness and wellness are an integral part of our life's journey. These are timeless truths I found out on my journey to fitness and wellness. So I decided to make my fitness journey a life-long commitment to being fit, strong and healthy for all time! rather than a short-term goal for a summer body. While opting for a fit, lean and strong body for summer isn't bad, such short-term goals are not sustainable.

Every day people set weight loss goals and while many smash their goals, very few can sustain their weight loss goals. I think the difference is a perception or mindset of viewing fitness merely as a goal to smash or a destination to reach rather than a journey. A mindset shift to seeing fitness as a life-long commitment without an end date, one that becomes a lifestyle is the way to go.

Gym membership is NOT an excuse for not starting your fitness journey

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A gym membership is great and a good option for those who are not self-motivated. However, not having one should never be an excuse not to embark on your fitness journey. Many times, people make excuses such as I don't have the budget for a gym membership or it doesn't just fit into my schedule and the list goes on. 

I started my fitness journey right in the comfort of my living room with my body as the gym equipment. I walked and jogged from one end of the living room to the other. Soon I began walking outdoors. I played badminton and soccer with my sons once or twice a week. In no time, I was enjoying every bit of it and I bought a jump rope and a pair of 3kg dumbells all in the comfort of my home and neighbourhood. I did not have the budget for a gym membership at the time. In less than a year, I had evolved into a self-motivated, stronger and healthier fitness freak. In my journey of 10 years into fitness, I had done over 90% of my workout at home. 

So, wherever you are in your journey, whether you have the budget for a gym membership or not, start where you are. Start with brisk walking, a jump rope, use the stairs, and gradually incorporate simple bodyweight exercises such as squats, mountain climbers, jumping jacks etc into your routine and you will be on the right path to being fit and strong.