Staying Positive On Your Fitness Journey

Wednesday 22 June 2016





Getting into a fitness rut is unavoidable. Sometimes it feels like you're getting no where and it's hard to stay positive about it. Trust me, we've all been there, but it's something worth fighting through. I thought I would share some tips from my own experience so far and what keeps me going when things get tough. Hard work is always worth it in the end!


Persistence is key

If there's one thing I've learned on my own fitness journey so far, it's that progress comes little by little. It may feel slow and tedious, but that's the best way to ensure your success lasts. Even when it feels like you're getting no where, you have to dig deep and keep going! Success comes to those who don't give up when everyone else does. You will get fitter and your body will look amazing, but only if you fight through those negative days and not let it get the better of you. It will be worth it, trust me!


Find what you love 

This is so important for both making your workouts successful and staying positive everyday. Everybody has their own fitness style that they love and what makes them passionate about staying fit. For me, I love running and hitting the gym to do some lifting. Anything to do with weights and I'm there! Once I found those loves of mine, staying positive and enjoying my workouts became so much easier. Try yoga, swimming, rowing, cycling, running, boxing, or whatever you have always wanted to give a go, and stick with whatever you enjoy most.


Set challenges, smash them, feel great 

This is one of the things I love most about fitness and it's a feeling I'm addicted to now. When you set yourself a goal to achieve, whether it's to run a mile or do 10 push-ups, you're giving yourself a reason to work harder than ever. And the feeling you get when you actually achieve those goals makes you want to achieve even more. It's when you look back and think, "Wow, I couldn't do that two weeks ago!" and all of that hard work becomes worth it. Use it as your motivation to keep going.


Remind yourself of how far you've come already

The other day I came across this quote, and it really struck a cord with me:
If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. 
 And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now. 

Sometimes you don't realize how far you've come until you look back on where you once were. This is why I love taking fitness selfies and writing notes about my workouts. I never would have believed how far I'd come in just one year! It doesn't feel like it at the time, but you're probably making more progress than you think. Also think of how you felt in the beginning and why you started a fitness journey in the first place. Feeling unfit and unhappy with your body is not something you have to live with, so celebrate every small victory and remember why you started.


Surround yourself with the right people

Having the right support on your fitness journey can sometimes make all the difference. I was lucky because I started a buddy system with my Mum and so we share a fitness journey in a way. But if you have people encouraging you to skip the gym or pig out on pizza, it obviously has a negative effect on your progress. I love chatting to the super-friendly team at my gym and having them cheer me on everyday. I also love going to running events and seeing people there that are doing it for the same reason. Make sure you have positive influences surrounding you that support your journey. 




Great things take time, so don't give up! Stay positive and you'll get to where you want to be.
I'm always here if anyone ever needs some encouragement : ) 

How do you stay positive?
Steph x.

10 comments :

  1. Great tips! I just had a baby 3 weeks ago so I'm getting really excited to start my fitness journey! I'll definitely keep these tips in mind :)

    Renee | Life After Lux

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    1. Congratulations! That's so exciting, you're gonna do awesome! : )
      Steph x.

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  2. This was such a great post and something I definitely needed to read. I recently started volleyball and absolutely love it! I still haven't found the perfect cardio exercise I can do as well, but I'm trying things out so hopefully I'll find something I love! :) xxx

    Sarah / Sarah Smiles

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    1. Thanks so much! It's so cool that you're trying to find what you love. It takes time, but it makes finding motivation to exercise so much easier. Boxing is definitely my favorite cardio : )
      Steph x.

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  3. I always used to hate running...but I've trained myself to like it so now I find exercising quite easy to keep up (I'm also getting better at it which helps a great deal!!). It is SO important to find something you love, there's no point dragging yourself along to classes you absolutely hate (HELLO SPIN YOU OLD DEVIL) because you can't keep it up!

    Katie xx ¦ La Coco Noire

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    1. I couldn't agree more! It took me ages to love running too, but now it's such a great stress reliever for me. Haha I've always avoided spin classes because I know it will be hell! Finding what you love is so important for sticking with it. Well done on your running! : )
      Steph x.

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  4. Loved this! Definitely needed to hear it today!

    moremindfulyou.blogspot.com

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    1. Aw thanks, I'm so glad it helped : )
      Steph x.

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  5. How perfect is that quote?! A couple of months ago I couldn't, and was certain I never would be able to, run for extensive periods of time - yesterday I ran 5K in just under 33 minutes! I am determined to keep up with this as I wouldn't want to undo all of my hard work and am eager to see what I can achieve next! To stay positive, I try to focus on the now rather than completely on the end goal. I find it means I enjoy the moment more and am happier to continue working hard :-)

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  6. Thank you for this! I agree 100% with every single on of your tips and I am happy to see that I am already doing some of them. It's good to know that I am on the right track.

    www.effieisbored.wordpress.com

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