How To Find a Fitness Routine That Fits YOU!
We are all introduced to the concept of a fitness routine in one way or another. Maybe it was P.E. class in High School, participating in a sports team, or weekly walks through the park. But at some point, we all learn that adding intentional movement into our lives has a positive outcome. Some of us may dive in even further and take on routines to yield more specific results. This could be based on physical capabilities or appearance goals.
What I noticed a few years back through my own experience and observing those around me is we often are heavily impacted by what others are doing. Especially those we deem as successful. We try to emulate others rather than treating ourselves as an individual with a completely different body. And more importantly, not taking our own likes and dislikes into account. This can lead to us clinging to fitness routines for the sake of the idea of what they can give us rather than actual results.
If you’ve noticed a lack of motivation for your current routine and/or a stunt in results, let’s explore why this may be happening and what you could potentially do about it!
The Impact of the Internet
When I first dove into the fitness world during my sophomore year of college, Instagram was just gaining popularity. Unfortunately, I was very quickly sucked into a world of flawless photos. These images showed perfectly sculpted, petite women who seemed to have all the secrets to happiness. I followed their posts religiously, copying what they did exactly, fully believing that these influencers were giving me the “secret sauce”.
My mindset became “You do bodybuilding-style training, or you’re not truly fit”. To adhere to this belief, my weekly routine revolved around leg days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Back and Biceps on Tuesday, Chest and Triceps on Thursday, and Shoulders on Sunday. Plus, 3–4 days a week I would integrate a HIIT circuit into my workout. An overall pretty solid routine, but — I’ll be honest — I hated it.
I was consistently inconsistent for years with this routine because I believed it was the only way to be fit. My weight fluctuated in an unhealthy manner, my relationship with my body suffered, and I even isolated myself from others.
In Search of Sustainability
The turning point came when I realized that pushing through just to achieve a certain weight or appearance wouldn’t lead to lasting results or happiness. Many people face this dilemma: What happens after reaching that initial goal? Do we stop entirely or continue doing something we dislike just to maintain our hard-earned progress?
Our world is saturated with 30-day fixes, six-week challenges, and specific scale numbers we aspire to hit. While these can be motivating, they often lack a crucial element: a plan for sustainability and long-term health. Relying solely on quick fixes isn’t the answer. Instead, we need both a goal and a well-thought-out, long-term strategy.
Before setting a specific finish line, take out a pen and paper. Reflect on the following questions, and write down detailed answers. This process will help you gain clarity and set a path toward lasting well-being:
- What do I enjoy? Consider activities that excite you, or that you relish the challenge of. These can be activities you currently do, have done in the past, or want to try in the future. *Keeping in mind, that nobody is 100% motivated every single day.
- What do I not enjoy? Identify the activities that you’d rather avoid — when you think about doing these activities you’d rather scroll social media for an extra hour or take unnecessary naps. Be honest with yourself about what drains your energy.
- Why do I want to be on a health and fitness journey? Look beyond body image. Think bigger and deeper. What motivates you? Is it feeling strong, having more energy to spend time with family and friends, improving your mental health, or enhancing your overall well-being for a life full of adventure?
- What do I need to feel supported? Consider the resources, community, or tools that will help you stay on track. Whether it’s a workout buddy, a fitness app, or a supportive coach, recognize what keeps you going.
Read over your answers a few times, I would even recommend keeping them around for a while. Remember, you’re allowed to modify or change your answers as you evolve. Our experiences shape us, and it’s okay to adapt along the way.
Your Fitness Routine Should not be Cookie Cutter
The point of this all is to help shape how you approach health and fitness. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, despite what a big chunk of the industry wants you to believe. The fitness studio your best friend swears by, which got her into the best shape of her life, may not be a great fit for you — and that’s TOTALLY alright. The good news is, that you can try as many styles of exercise as you like until you find what works best for you. And if one day you realize that your current routine no longer brings you joy and feels like a drag, it’s time to explore something new — maybe temporarily or perhaps long-term.
Even after finding a style you like, I encourage you to keep trying new things, because no rules are saying you have to stick to just one. This approach also allows you to work your body in different ways, which is awesome! Sustainability doesn’t come solely from sheer willpower and determination; for most of us, it comes from enjoyment — that’s what keeps you coming back.
While it’s a bit wordy, This Article from 2020 does an excellent job supporting the idea that enjoyment leads us closer to our health and fitness goals. One line states, “Even among active individuals, continued engagement in the same exercise over time can halt progressive overload and potentially contribute to reversibility (retraction to baseline condition) (American College of Sports et al., 2018), and can ultimately reduce motivation to participate in physical activity out of boredom. This seemingly vicious cycle can be tackled by introducing new exercise regimens regularly.”
At some point, we’ve all gotten bored with our routines, or maybe we never truly liked them to begin with. It’s easy to fall into the mindset that we may not be “fitness-routine-kind-of-people. We may also find ourselves sticking with it because we don’t want to be quitters. This article validates that we’re not alone in feeling this way, and highlights the benefits of switching up our routines.
Final Thoughts
Before I wrap this up, I want to provide a brief disclaimer. If you’re someone who has been doing the same mode of fitness for over a decade with no intention of switching because you love it, that’s more than alright! You’ve found a passion, and I’m genuinely excited for you. However, I’m speaking more to most of the population who may struggle to maintain a routine due to boredom, lack of experience, or limited knowledge about different fitness modes. Yes, fitness does require consistency, but you are more likely to stick with something that inspires you, rather than something you dread. The overall theme of this post is to remind you to be true to yourself and to take the time to discover what truly works best for you!
