they were wrong.

…written by a beginner

I have been struggling with working out my entire life. Why? Because I hate it and I’m just really bad at it. Recently however, my mental health has gotten so bad I was willing to put anything into getting better. One of the things I had to start doing was regular working out. So today, after months of working out regularly, I bring you my mini fitness guide for beginners:

Have a legit reason why -People hardly ever do things just because they should. You might be able to start off with that reason but you won’t last. I work out to better my mental health. What about you?

Put away embarassment, focus on your body -Working out is intimidating as hell, especially if you’re not very good at it. Try not to worry about what others think about you, just focus on doing it correctly. Doesn’t matter whether you’re jogging or doing yoga, just focus on you and your body.

Try as many things as you can -Deciding you’ll do a specific work out routine every week or this one yoga flow every day is great, but at the beginning it is important to try out what you like and what you’re good at. Try looking up a workout on youtube one week, then go jogging the next. Then you can go and play tennis with friends or visit the gym.

Be consistent -You might not even have a schedule. You don’t even need strict rules. Just make sure you keep going. 

Even the smallest things count -There will be days when you just can’t do it. Especially if you struggle with mental health issues, things might seem extremely overwhelming. Just remember that something is better than nothing. You might not work out for hal an hour, but you might choose to walk home instead of going by car. You might not go jogging but you might go for a walk.

Do not make working out a punishment -Don’t go and exhaust yourself because you overate. Never take working out as a punishment.

Eat enough and eat healthy -Do not starve yourself. When you force your body to give away more energy than it usually does, you better feed it well.

Listen to your body -There’s a big difference between being lazy and actually being exhausted. Many motivational posts and quotes might call you out on excuses but when your body tells you you can’t do it, then don’t force it. You might make things worse.

1. If the people you thought you could count on, disappoint you and aren’t there for you through the good and bad, through the easy and hard times, you can say goodbye. Let them leave. Other people will show up.

2. Not everything is how it seems, you never see the full picture. Keep that in mind before judging, because most people don’t share the pain they go through.

3. You might have built walls to protect yourself, but they can also trap you. Don’t let them keep you from being vulnerable. There is value in being able to be hurt.

4. Being human means breaking, breaking over and over again. I don’t really know if it ever ends. 

5. When you do break, when you fall apart, let others catch you. Don’t be afraid to trust others. You never have to be alone in your suffering.

6. Sometimes you will cry alone in your car. I’m sorry.

7. Not everyone will like you. It’s hard to accept but remember that you matter whether or not they like you.  Don’t let them determine your worth, your happiness.

8. Happiness is not the goal of life. You can pursue it, and never find it. Pursue a good life. A hard life. One where you make the right decisions, despite the pain you will go through. Happiness will come as a byproduct of a life well lived. 

9. A furry friend really can make a difference. They can make hard times just a little bit easier.

10. Laugh. Tell jokes. Be silly. It is one of the best types of medicine. Sometimes the choice is to cry, or to laugh. Laugh.

11. Stay out late. Be spontaneous. Make memories. Soon the people you made memories with, will leave. But memories are there to stay.

12. Wake up early. Thirty minutes of quiet in the morning is so worth it. The silence as the sun rises can change what state your heart is in. It can go from pain and grief to simple gratitude. Wake up early.

13. Be honest. No one respects a liar. No one trusts a liar.

14. Sometimes you will hurt the people you love the most. Sometimes they will hurt you. But keep giving second chances. Everyone fails.

15. Love. Be loving to whoever you see. You never know how much someone needs it. 

16. Walk. Run. Move. Somedays, the only way to get out of your head is to go outside. Try it.

17. Don’t hide from the pain. You can grieve. Don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. Most people will want to.

18. Call the important people. Talk for hours, listen, connect. Don’t lose touch with them.

19. Sometimes thinking about the past feels unbearable. It fils you with pain. It hurts. Remember the past, try to heal, and then think of the future. Keep going. Keep doing the best you can. That’s all anyone asks.